Peas in a Pod?
I find it hard to believe but I know people that don't know what a Neocon is. No, that's not it. Well, some don't know what they are, but that could be because their philosophy and beliefs are not exactly out in the open for easy inspection. But there are some people I know who seem to doubt there is any such thing as a Neocon. Now that is ignorance built upon ignorance. First, they vote for a Neocon, don't know what they are or what they stand for, and then deny they even exist. Its like they believe its some 'conspiracy theory', or fantasy. Well, I must admit I didn't know too much about their origins and philosophy myself until I saw a documentary on the topic. The same documentary outlined the origins of the Neocons and the modern radical Islamic movement. Now since these two groups seem to in large part dominate the World Stage, it would seem to behoove those of us who care even a little bit about the destiny of our planet, to become acquainted with the philosophy, ideals and goals of these groups.
I am not going to attempt to cover the material in the whole documentary here, but just hit a few highlights. The word Neocon is short for NeoConservative; the 'neo' part means 'new'. Strangely, some of the first contributors to this group considered themselves social liberals, but they promoted further down the road a conservative politic. However, there are major differences between the ideas of the Neocons and traditional conservatives.
The founding father of the Neocons was Leo Strauss. He was a political philosopher and a university professor who wrote and taught many students who were influenced by his ideas. (Paul Wolfowitz, the 'architect of the Iraq War' was one). He believed that the average citizen was not capable of making sound decisions on his own about world affairs and morals, and that the average Joe was too self-absorbed with his own self-gratifying pleasures and material objects to really be a good citizen in a democratic type state, if left to his own devices. He therefore believed it was the job of an elite few that did understand morals and what is right in the world to lead the flock, so to speak, and guide them in the right direction. The method he suggested for this was to create popular myths that the people could believe in. By motivating the 'common' people with these myths they could be led toward more moral lives and more noble purposes.
The Neocons started to gain strength in the 70's and by the 80's had attained considerable power. They found a natural alliance with the religious right evangelicals, which they were able to exploit politically in a major fashion starting in the 90's. But by the 80's, they were planted in the White House cabinet and staff, and were able to strongly influence Reagan's policies. The first Myth that was created was that the U.S. was a unique and special nation whose role it was in the world was to be the champion of Good, and to fight all the Evil in the world until we ultimately brought Good through democracy to the entire planet. The ultimate evil in this Good vs. Evil Myth was the 'Evil Empire', the Soviet Union. The Soviet Union was envisioned as the root of all evil, and any problems in governments around the world were because they were infiltrating them with their evil philosophy and corrupting the government. The U.S.S.R. was out to get us, in an all out effort, and it was either them or us. None of this of course was true. The Soviet Union had little intentions of being aggressive with us, as noted by our own C.I.A. , and they certainly were not the only, or a unique source of evil in the world.
Being great promoters of the aggressive action in the Cold War, they finally found a justification to act in the Soviet War in Afghanistan at the end of the 80's. Having trouble convincing some of going to war with the Soviets, this conflict proved to be a great showcase for the Neocons. The invasion of Afghanistan by the Soviets was so universally looked down on that the U.S. even joined with radical Islamic groups (more on this later) to help fight this war, including the money from the wealth of Saudi Arabian Osama bin Laden. This little war indeed made strange bedfellows. Through the combined U.S. and Islamic efforts the Soviets were driven out. Both parties participating claimed big victories for their group.
Within a couple of years the Soviet Union collapsed. The Neocons claimed a major victory in that they promoted the idea that standing up to the Soviet Union militarily in Afghanistan had resulted in the victory of Good over Evil, and it was because their aggressive stand that they won. Again, all part of the myth, and not true at all. The Soviet Union collapse was a long time in the making and due to economic failure of their system and political corruption. It was the nature of communism in their country itself which caused the collapse, not external factors. Yet the Neocons proclaimed victory. One problem though, now, they had no myth to lead the 'common' folk with since this one had expired. So in the 90's they dreamed up a new myth; I'll let you guess what that one was. Not a whole lot different than the last one but a little different type of target. One that wouldn't go away so easily.
But I will leave the rest to explore in the documentary.
In Part II I will hit the high points on the flip side of the coin. The origins of the radical Islamic movement, and despite the difference in objectives, how some of their methods and ideology was very similar. Almost, like two peas in a pod.
I am not going to attempt to cover the material in the whole documentary here, but just hit a few highlights. The word Neocon is short for NeoConservative; the 'neo' part means 'new'. Strangely, some of the first contributors to this group considered themselves social liberals, but they promoted further down the road a conservative politic. However, there are major differences between the ideas of the Neocons and traditional conservatives.
The founding father of the Neocons was Leo Strauss. He was a political philosopher and a university professor who wrote and taught many students who were influenced by his ideas. (Paul Wolfowitz, the 'architect of the Iraq War' was one). He believed that the average citizen was not capable of making sound decisions on his own about world affairs and morals, and that the average Joe was too self-absorbed with his own self-gratifying pleasures and material objects to really be a good citizen in a democratic type state, if left to his own devices. He therefore believed it was the job of an elite few that did understand morals and what is right in the world to lead the flock, so to speak, and guide them in the right direction. The method he suggested for this was to create popular myths that the people could believe in. By motivating the 'common' people with these myths they could be led toward more moral lives and more noble purposes.
The Neocons started to gain strength in the 70's and by the 80's had attained considerable power. They found a natural alliance with the religious right evangelicals, which they were able to exploit politically in a major fashion starting in the 90's. But by the 80's, they were planted in the White House cabinet and staff, and were able to strongly influence Reagan's policies. The first Myth that was created was that the U.S. was a unique and special nation whose role it was in the world was to be the champion of Good, and to fight all the Evil in the world until we ultimately brought Good through democracy to the entire planet. The ultimate evil in this Good vs. Evil Myth was the 'Evil Empire', the Soviet Union. The Soviet Union was envisioned as the root of all evil, and any problems in governments around the world were because they were infiltrating them with their evil philosophy and corrupting the government. The U.S.S.R. was out to get us, in an all out effort, and it was either them or us. None of this of course was true. The Soviet Union had little intentions of being aggressive with us, as noted by our own C.I.A. , and they certainly were not the only, or a unique source of evil in the world.
Being great promoters of the aggressive action in the Cold War, they finally found a justification to act in the Soviet War in Afghanistan at the end of the 80's. Having trouble convincing some of going to war with the Soviets, this conflict proved to be a great showcase for the Neocons. The invasion of Afghanistan by the Soviets was so universally looked down on that the U.S. even joined with radical Islamic groups (more on this later) to help fight this war, including the money from the wealth of Saudi Arabian Osama bin Laden. This little war indeed made strange bedfellows. Through the combined U.S. and Islamic efforts the Soviets were driven out. Both parties participating claimed big victories for their group.
Within a couple of years the Soviet Union collapsed. The Neocons claimed a major victory in that they promoted the idea that standing up to the Soviet Union militarily in Afghanistan had resulted in the victory of Good over Evil, and it was because their aggressive stand that they won. Again, all part of the myth, and not true at all. The Soviet Union collapse was a long time in the making and due to economic failure of their system and political corruption. It was the nature of communism in their country itself which caused the collapse, not external factors. Yet the Neocons proclaimed victory. One problem though, now, they had no myth to lead the 'common' folk with since this one had expired. So in the 90's they dreamed up a new myth; I'll let you guess what that one was. Not a whole lot different than the last one but a little different type of target. One that wouldn't go away so easily.
But I will leave the rest to explore in the documentary.
In Part II I will hit the high points on the flip side of the coin. The origins of the radical Islamic movement, and despite the difference in objectives, how some of their methods and ideology was very similar. Almost, like two peas in a pod.
posted by Eclectricz at
12:34 AM
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