An excellent, intelligent and enlightened look at what Neoconservatism actually is and why so many on the left appear to me ridiculous when they decry its ‘inherent evil’.
A foreign policy, which eschews the appeasement of dictators, the common tool of the United States’ old stability-based policy, in favour of democratisation and liberation is nothing more or less than exactly what the left was demanding years ago.
Now we have it, it’s been paying off and much of those to my left have basically had a 5 year tantrum over the fact that they weren’t the ones to carry it out.
It’s basically the same as a child ceasing to play with a jigsaw puzzle with which it has become disinterested, and then becoming enraged at some other kid who’s managed to complete the puzzle.
“Those dastardly Neocons! They’ve tricked us once again!” The Independent-reading proletariat cries, indignantly.
Some of us on the left can’t help but smile at how the principles of Liberalism and Democracy have been served throughout the world and we look down to find that the markings of political-parking have been shifted from under our feet. Somehow we’re now considered right wingers.
Well if an acceptance of the comprehensive failings of the United Nations over the past 15 years, combined with a desire to see democracy and freedom spread across the world by whatever means are available make me a dirty right-wing Neocon then so I shall call myself. A Labour party voting, Neoconservative. Put that in your pipe Mr Livingstone, and smoke it.
Later
John
(geez, that’s a long posting break there :) )
Posted by John Swaine at March 19, 2005 08:35 PM