PoliticsAugust 30, 2026

neoconservatives

NEE-oh-kun-SUR-vuh-tivz

Definition

A group of political thinkers and policymakers who advocate for a strong, interventionist American foreign policy and the promotion of democracy abroad, often originating from a background of intellectual opposition to left-wing liberalism.

Etymology

Derived from the prefix 'neo-' (meaning 'new' or 'revived') and 'conservatives,' reflecting the rise of a specific strain of American conservative thought that gained prominence in the late 20th century among intellectuals and policymakers.

In the news

The article uses the term to describe the political movement Francis Fukuyama was part of, explaining how he later broke with the group due to his opposition to the Iraq War and their shifting stance on modern political figures.

The Last Man Comes Full Circle

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Washington Monthly

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