Paleoconservatism Vs. Neoconservatism: A Primer

Not All Conservatives Are Alike

When people think of conservatism, many automatically think of George W. Bush, but he is only one type of conservative. Conservatism tends to fall into thee very different categories: paleoconservatism, neoconservatism, and libertarianism. Libertarians are a completely different species, so I'll briefly delineate some of the differences between paleoconservatism and neoconservatism.

Paleoconservatism: The Old Right, "America First"

Like the dinosaurs, paleoconservatism seems to be a dying breed, but its adherents are proudly hanging on. Paleoconservatism represents what the GOP used to be before Iraq and the war on terror. The typical paleoconservative probably goes to church, subscribes to The American Conservative, dislikes President Bush, and feels disenfranchised with the current GOP.

Paleoconservatism and Social Issues: Paleoconservatives tend to agree with Republicans on right to life issues such as abortion and euthanasia.

Paleoconservatism and Economics: Paleoconservatives tend to support isolationism and protectionist trade policies.

Paleoconservatism and Immigration: Heightened border security, stricter laws on immigration

Paleoconservatism and Foreign Policy: Anti-Bush, Anti-Iraq War, Anti-Israel. Paleoconservatism leans towards isolationism. Paleoconservatives opposed the Iraq War, arguing that the traditional conservatives were isolationists.

Paleoconservatism and Israel: Paleoconservatives then to be anti-Israel. They argue that America's support of Israel caused us to become a target for Islamic fundamentalists. Some may even argue that the state of Israel should not exist.

Famous figures in Paleoconservatism: Pat Buchanan, Tom Tancredo, Calvin Coolidge (on foreign policy), or Ron Paul (on foreign policy)

Rhetoric of Paleoconservatism: "We are a republic, not an empire." "Close up our borders." "Isolationism!" "George Washington, in his farewell address, argued for neutrality and warned against permanent entangling alliances." "Not with my paycheck you don't!"