What Is The Difference Between A Conservative & A Neo - Conservative?
102926
A neo-conservative is someone who was liberal in the 1960s and 1970s but turned to conservatism when they were disillisioned with American liberalism and where it was taking America.Most neo-cons, are highly educated and were in high positions of authority in the 1960s and 1970s.\n  A conservative is someone who were supporters of the 1968 campaign of Barry Goldwater for the Republican nomination.It goes without saying that these same people supported Reagan in 1980 and 1984. Most conservative became that way during the Reagan years.
1045266
Very different.  "Neo" means new.  But the difference is much greater than that.\n\nRepublican Congressman Ron Paul's speech before congress about the neo-con agenda and background should provide some idea.  I've linked it below.  Pat Buchanan has also written a book "Where the Right Went Wrong" on the neo-conservatives, and how they are starkly opposed to the approach of older conservatives.  \n\nBasically, the difference has to do with a number of issues, but the ones I see most clearly are these: neo-conservatives are big-government conservatives who are willing to spend endlessly, in contrast with older paleo-conservatives who eschew spending.  Secondly, and probably more importantly, neo-conservatives are always very 'hawkish', some even willing to engage in a permanent state of war, while paleo-conservatives are generally more isolationist, and would want to be in a war only if the nation were directly threatened.  There are other differences, but these two represent the core difference in values.\n\nThe bigger problem is that the words don't really mean a whole lot anymore.  Bush and his team have clouded the meanings.  I used to describe myself as a conservative, in the model of Barry Goldwater or Ronald Reagan.  Now, I rarely even use the term anymore.  Of course, this changing meaning of the word conservative is nothing new.\n\nThe dictionary definition says that conservative means opposition to change.  That was probably an accurate description of the conservative position in the U.S., pre-FDR.  But since then, conservatives have needed to effect change if they wanted to return to their ideal state.  So, even the dictionary definition isn't exactly right anymore.\n\nNeo-conservatives have hijacked the Republican party.  I know many people who oppose Republican principles don't care, but the fact remains that the values of this administration are very different than the values of Republicans in general, and Reagan Republicans in particular.  Many of us hope to see change in the next election.\n\nOne final warning to Democrats and Liberals.  Beware.  The neo-cons are not fixated on principle.  They go to power.  If the Republicans are ousted from power, you can expect to see most of the neo-cons start to call themselves neo-liberals and trying to join up with you guys.  Be cautious.  Before you know it, you'll find them taking over your agenda, too.  \n\nWait a minute!  Let me think.  Did the Democrats fully support most of the neo-con agenda items in Congress this past decade?  Of course they did.  Perhaps the problem is greater than we feared.
846812
It means that it's a "poll on conservative values".  Meaning that the outcome of the election will tell us whether the American public is favoring or opposing neo-conservative values.
738029
Conservatism is what it always used to be: don't go trying to change it.\nNo, I don't think Republicans are conservative, I think they are gullible.
505583
A conservative liberal is someone who is mostly liberal but conservative on some issues. I know it seems ridiculous because it appears to be an oxymoron, but it is not. This alleged oxymoron is similar to the United States being a Democratic Republic. It is such because we use some elements of democracy (like voting-- in a true democracy EVERYONE votes on EVERY issue, rather than having a congress) but our government has also been influenced by the ways of a republic (having senators, etc., which is similar to the ways of Ancient Rome).\n\nFor example, I consider myself to be a conservative liberal as I am liberal on most social issues involving human rights, such as gay marriage because I believe that everyone, regardless of sexual orientation, deserves the right of marriage. However, I am conservative on issues like immigration because I believe that only people who intend to gain citizenship, pay taxes, learn to speak English, and have a stable job should be allowed to immigrate. I happen to feel this way because, although I value their addition culturally, we cannot finance the welfare for people who do not help fund the services they are receiving.
1056365
Actually they fit the definition of a Fascist: Fascism is a radical authoritarian political philosophy that combines elements of corporatism, totalitarianism, extreme nationalism, militarism, anti-communism and anti-liberalism.\n\n\n"The modern American conservative comes in many different flavors, but can generally be categorized in one of three ways: social, fiscal and foreign policy conservatism. Certainly these are very general categories, but almost any issue can fit into at least of the three. Social conservatives believe in traditional family values, the protection of innocent life and support religious tolerance. They typically oppose legal abortion and support tough crime laws that provide for punishment before rehabilitation. Fiscal/economic conservatives believe in limited government intrusion when it comes to economic matters and generally support the private sector vice the government when it comes to providing for economic prosperity. They fight for low/no taxes and limited regulation of businesses. They put their faith in the free market and they generally oppose the redistribution of wealth. Foreign policy conservatives, sometimes called hawks, see the value of having a strong military even during peacetime and support the right of a nation to defend itself. Their view of the world is such that they believe there are times when military power is needed to suppress and defeat Some also believe in the proactive spread of democracy around the world. Most recently, the term neocon has been used to describe President Bush's preemptive war on Iraq. Generally speaking, conservatives see a clear line between good and evil, right and wrong. They tend to not believe in moral relativism, which can be seen in their support of directly confronting threats both domestic (criminals) and international (terrorists, adversarial nations or organizations). Its important to note that the three are not mutually exclusive - a conservative can believe in any part or all of the three. Neoconservatives believe in all three. Neoconservatism is the intersection of economic, social and foreign policy conservatism. We are true conservatives in that we believe in all aspects of conservatism - social, economic and foreign policy."
960143
the difference is that the republicans are far to the right of the majority of Americans on most significant issues and the democrats are far to the right of the majority of American on most significant  issues. that is the difference. no seriously there wasn't a big difference until the neocons started their caveman shtick.\n\nthose issues like immigration and gay marriage are distractions. elections are run by the PR industry... the same people that sell toothpaste. the point is to divert you away from issues like health care reform. polls show most people would support something resembling a single payer health care system... like they have in most european countries and Canada. where are the dems and reps on that? up each others butt. the insurance lobby pays a ton of money to candidates in both parties to keep health care reform off the agenda. that's why you see so many controversial bills pass with no debate. because they know the population would be opposed.\n\ndoes anyone remember the big debate about NAFTA? or the Telecommunications act? both of these were done under the Clinton administration.
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Left (wing) is the same as Liberal and right (wing) is the same as conservative.\n\nConservatives claim to be more careful in making changes.  They don't like to change the way things are done unless they think the new way will be an improvement.  \n\nConservatives also tend to interpret the constitution in light of the founding fathers commentary, historical perspectives of the founding fathers, and the actual wording of the constitution.\n\nConservatives are more likely to cut taxes (except in times of war) and cut social programs (except for national defense).  They also tend to hold traditional Values,\n\nLiberals claim to embrace change.  They tend to go more with the trends than with what was done in the past.\n\nLiberals usually view the Constitution as a "Living Document" that changes with the times that we are currently living in.  They view the wording of the Constitution as symbolic rather than concrete.\n\nLiberals tend to raise taxes and increase funding of social programs (except for Defense spending).  Liberals values tend to run with the trends of their time.\n\nstephenvest@...\nYou could at least try to be objective.
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I am having a hard time telling the difference is political correctness, welfare, social security, education, and peace the agenda of liberals or conservatives.... I think this country spends way to much time taking care of those who don't take care of themselves.  I am a christian, but if I am going to have to conform to the new world order and become modern and culturally sensitive and think that I evolved from a monkey and that only the strong survive and the week perrish and sometimes its not natural for mothers to give birth because they have other plans then, why not just convert to that dogma and do what I want where I want any way I want as long as I can get away with it because the only person I have to answer to are the authorities and there not that good at their jobs. Why should anyone do anything if there is no design or purpose. If it is all just a big accident of a natural process beyond my control and there is no hope... Why not just live it up and get it over with and take drugs and life support til we can't be kept alive any longer. That is much more natural of a state for mankind in his polluted environment of advancement and civilization.\n\nthe only true christian civilization I have seen in a community in my life time is perhaps Amish people....  try to understand that
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To take a definition from Ambrose Bierce, creator of the first dictionary...\n\nConservative, n. A statesman enamored of existing evils, as opposed to a Liberal, who wants to replace them with new ones\n\n------\n\nThe question is too difficult to answer because both sides are going to skew it towards their own beliefs and ideas.\n\nSocial conservatives lean more towards tradition and personal responsibility, whereas social liberals are progressive in ideals and believe more in societal involvement.\n\nEconomic conservatives favor free markets, limited government and money to the people to use as they see necessary. Economic liberals like government fiscal control and money to the government to use as it deems necessary.\n\nThe most important thing is remembering that conservatives and liberals are political philosophies, whereas Democrats and Republicans are political parties.
504170
I would say this depends on what you are conservative about.  The issues that conservatives used to identify with the GOP are no longer fundamental to that party especially as concerns fiscal responsibility.  Civil liberty protection, refrain from nation-building, separation of church and state and a well-defined balance of power within the branches of government all USED to be core conservative positions.  Conservatism above all used to be about CIVIL BEHAVIOR (Rush!) HONESTY (W!) and COMMON SENSE (Rummy!)  Neo-conservatives have surrendered moderates to the RELIGIOUS conservatives and THEY now define YOU.  Even Nixon was more honest than this bunch.
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What several have listed are actually conservative ideals.  The republican party is closer to conservatism than the present democrat party, but still not conservative.   Oddly, the democrats in the day of JFK were more conservative than the republican party is today.\n\nUnfortunately the democrat party has gone off the left end of the spectrum and the republicans are heading there too.   We probably need a strong conservative third party if we want to save this country.
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Remy-there are very FEW conservatives in power now. Neocons yes, not real conservatives. But your question does not address whether you mean government conservatives or the populace. Really the answer is no to both. Conservatives (real ones) are now considered divisive, intolerant and xenophobes. They (like for example conspiracy theorists, ring a bell?) are against globalism and loss of national identity.  They could be contributing to the destruction of America by backing down, giving up and capitulating to the powers that be. Your thoughts?
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Excellent question! \n\nI remember when the word 'conservative' referred to the far right of the Republican party. And there were liberals in both parties. Then in the 90s this begin to change with the entire Republican party moving to the right.\n\nIf you didn't move to the right then you were pushed out basically. I'd say this transformation occurred during the Newt Gingrich era. I actually used to be a Republican but I am very liberal when it comes to the rights of others. IE, gay marriage, discrimination, etc... I first moved independent then finally ended up completely democrat. There just isn't any place for me in the Republican party any longer. They carry too many biased prejudices; but even more than that, my liberal way of thinking can't accept their somehow literally believing they have the RIGHT to dictate to others how to live.\n\nAnyways, good question and hope that helps. Basically there are no liberal republicans any longer. There are the conservatives who are to the right then there are the neocons which are far right extremist.
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Statistically, conservatives are much more likely to have received higher education and are more likely to have graduated college.  Based on this, it is likely that conservatives generally have more developed math skills.
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McCaine is what us conservatives refer to as RINO.  (Republican in Name Only).  Basically, a neo-conservative is a moderate, two tweaks and they would be a liberal so you would be correct.\n\nAlren Spector is another
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Neoconservatism is a political movement, mainly in the United States, which is generally held to have emerged in the 1960s, coalesced in the 1970s, and has had a significant presence in the administrations of Ronald Reagan and George W. Bush.\n\nThe prefix neo- refers to two ways in which neoconservatism was new. First, many of the movement's founders, originally liberals, Democrats or from socialist backgrounds, were new to conservatism. Also, neoconservatism was a comparatively recent strain of conservative socio-political thought. It derived from a variety of intellectual roots in the decades following World War II, including literary criticism and the social sciences.