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§ The hall of

Neo-Conservative (Neocon)

Neoconservatism emerged in the U.S. in the late 20th century, emphasizing aggressive foreign policy, strong national defense, and pro-market economic policies. George W. Bush's presidency (2001–2009) is a prime example, marked by the Iraq War, the PATRIOT Act, and an expanded security state. While nominally democratic, neoconservatism prioritizes state power in global affairs and national security.

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Figures
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Historical & living
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Fictional
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Social variants
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Neo-Conservative (Neocon) · cell 3·5
§ The territory

What it believes

Liberal order is worth exporting at gunpoint if necessary: democracy and markets as universal goods, American power as their guarantor, and moral clarity — against totalitarians, then terrorists — as the compass of statecraft.

The appeal

It took ideas seriously when realists took only interests: the Cold War's dissidents had no better friend, and 'regime type matters' remains its living insight — tyrannies abroad do become dangers at home.

Where it breaks

Iraq: the flagship intervention delivered insurgency, regional wreckage, and a generation's distrust of every future 'moral clarity'. Nation-building by invasion failed its own test everywhere it was graded.

Among its neighbours

The State Capitalist above owns the economy this cell merely arms. The Third-Way Labourite beside it shared the liberal confidence, minus the divisions. Below, the Neoliberal wanted the markets exported without the occupations. Marketward, the Conservative stayed home and shook its head.

§ Featured · the definitive faces

Figures — real and imagined — who share the Neo-Conservative (Neocon) base ideology. They differ only on the third axis: from radical to restorationist, each is a different face of a Neo-Conservative (Neocon).

§ The hall · everyone else

The company you keep.

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§ The nine shades of Neo-Conservative (Neocon)

The social axis (progressive ↔ traditional) splits Neo-Conservative (Neocon) into nine named shades. Take the quiz to find out which one is yours.

  • Radical Neo-Conservative (Neocon)
  • Progressive Neo-Conservative (Neocon)
  • Reformist Neo-Conservative (Neocon)
  • Heterodox Neo-Conservative (Neocon)
  • Neo-Conservative (Neocon)
  • Rooted Neo-Conservative (Neocon)
  • Traditional Neo-Conservative (Neocon)
  • Reactionary Neo-Conservative (Neocon)
  • Restorationist Neo-Conservative (Neocon)
Find your shade — take the quiz →
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