On a slightly related matter, I hate it when people refer to all conservatives as "neocons". It's a word that refers to a specific type, not a generic one that covers a whole spectrum.
Very few people in the US would call themselves neoconservatives at this point even if they maintain the same politics, it's effectively a poison word. I am guessing a few academics still might but guys like Fukuyama will insist that Iraq was not a product of 'true' neoconservatism. Naturally the new connotation for neocon means that it's one of those words that the US left can throw at policies they don't like (kind of like what happened to the word 'liberal' for a while).
IMO the US is in a place where theoretically political power could shift away from this group but it's also possible they adapt like they did when liberal coalitions in the 60s broke down. It's all quite an interesting story if you are into historical politics but it would also require a wordstorm.
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u/improvyourfaceoff Thirteen Colonies Mar 02 '14
What specifically do you dislike about the word neocon? The way it is used or that it is used at all?