Neoconservatism is the ideology of American conservatives, the main principles of which were the spread of democracy, market economy and freedom in countries with regimes opposite to the United States through military and economic pressure.
The history of the emergence of neoconservatism
Neoconservatism is the ideology of US conservatives who advocate using the country's military and economic superiority to subjugate and establish democracy in countries with hostile regimes.
The direction of neoconservatism appeared in the 1970s of the 20th century. The emergence of this ideology is associated with the dissatisfaction of democrats who oppose the war in Vietnam and who are skeptical about social programs. In general, neoconservatism supported the theory of the free market, but expressed less discontent with government interference in society than conservatism. For example, neoconservatives opposed tax increases.
In the 60-70s, representatives of this ideology remained on the left on many issues, but in relation to foreign policy they often adhered to the right views. The earliest neoconservatives were small, predominantly liberal groups. In the 1980s, most of the representatives of this ideology turned out to be members of the Republican Party, which supported Reagan in matters of continuing tough confrontation with the USSR.
Basic principles of neoconservatism
The first and basic principle is reduced to the opinion of neoconservatives that the internal regime of the country has a direct impact on foreign policy. That is why social democratic states should exert pressure and be interested in the internal politics of other states.
The second principle is to convince the United States of its power, including military power, which should be used for moral purposes.
Skepticism and distrust of social planning programs and large social projects is the third tenet of neoconservatism.
Lack of confidence in the norms of international law. Both their effectiveness for ensuring fairness and security and their legitimacy are being questioned.
Thus, the main provisions of neoconservatism are reduced to the hegemony of the United States and the fulfillment by this country of the role of "world policeman" on the basis of its authority, military and economic power. According to the neoconservatives, the guarantee of the implementation of these provisions should be a significant increase in expenditures on weapons, the propaganda of patriotism and the recruitment of more volunteers into the army, the spread of its main principles, which are freedom, democracy and a market economy, all over the world.