Neoconservatism on the 12 Axes

Neoconservatism began in the United States in the late 1960s and 1970s among former liberals and leftists, such as Irving Kristol and Norman Podhoretz, who turned against the New Left and Soviet détente. They kept some acceptance of the welfare state but stressed anti-communism, moral seriousness and American leadership. In the 1990s and 2000s, thinkers like William Kristol and Robert Kagan pushed for military strength and democracy promotion, and the doctrine shaped the George W. Bush administration's 2003 invasion of Iraq. Neoconservatives favor free trade and alliances such as NATO. Compared with Paleoconservatism, they are interventionist and globalist. Compared with Conservatism, they are less focused on religion and social tradition and much more focused on foreign policy.

• Moderate Conservatism 78%Moderate conservatism values tradition, stability and markets but accepts gradual social change, the welfare state and international cooperation, preferring careful reform to sharp breaks.
• Authoritarian Capitalism 74%Authoritarian capitalism combines a free-market, privately owned economy with a strong state that limits political freedoms, elections and opposition in the name of order and growth.
• Conservatism 71%Conservatism seeks to preserve traditional institutions, religion, family and national identity, supporting markets, strong defense and public order while resisting rapid social change.
• Classical Liberalism 65%Classical liberalism defends individual liberty, private property, free markets and the rule of law, with a limited government whose main job is to protect citizens' rights.