NEO-CON [Cliff May]
I’d argue that the term “neo-conservative,” at this point, merely means someone who (1) believes American power can be a force for good, and (2) that encouraging democracy and freedom in the Middle East is both possible and necessary to safeguard the nation’s long-range interests.
Within that broad framework there can be – and, obviously, are -- many differences.
Mostly, the idea of a “neo-con” cabal has become a convenient bogeyman for the neo-isolationist right (e.g. Pat Buchanan) and the post-Humanitarian left (e.g. The Nation).
I'd argue that the defining characteristic of foreign policy neoconservatism (best elucidated by Kristol and Kagan as "neo-Reaganite," a term that never stuck) is the belief in American exceptionalism, the idea that the United States should not be constrained by any international norms, as well as an a priori disregard for international institutions, if not the very concept of multilateralism, as a component of that belief.
Given that this ideology has proven disastrous in Iraq, it's not surprising that Cliff May now wants to redefine "neocon" so broadly as to include, well, me. In other words, May's new definition as read is quite simply that of a liberal internationalist. Within this broad framework there can be – and, obviously, are -- many differences. Welcome aboard, Cliff.
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