The neo conservative 2nd generation in contemporary America
by U4 Junnosuke SHIBU
January 16th 2007
1.What is "neo conservative 2nd generation" ?
People who give the theoretical basis to Bush Doctorin in 2002.For example , to spread democracy to middle east area is their idea.Representative people are Paul Wolfowitz (Former Deputy Secretary of Defense), William Kristol(editor of 'Weekly Standard') and so on .
2.Theoretical basis
The origin of Neo-con 2nd generation is Neo-con 1st generation in 1970's .It is said that Neo-con 1st generation have 3 characters . ①the educated class②experience "left to right shift"③have the conservative ideorogy (distrust the government power) . Neo-con second generation have the same characters .So , their origin is Neo-con 1st generation in 1970's.
3.Francis Fukuyama's criticism
But Fransis Fukuyama argured that Neo-con 2nd generation don't have the character ③ , they are lack of conservative mind .So their origin is not Neo-con 1st generation . Once , Fransis Fukuyama regard himself as neo-con 2nd generation , but later he changed his position .Now he criticize neo-con 2nd generation .The purpose of this presentaion is to prove Fukuyama's aurgument ture or not , and to clear the special characters of neo-con 2nd generation .I pick up one person to reserch the ideorogy of Neo-con 2nd generation . He is Paul Wolfowitz , the representative person of Neo-con 2nd generation .
4.About Paul Wolfowitz
In his article , DPG(Draft Defense Planning Guidance)in 92's ,he claims the importance of Dominant military power of the USA .And he stressed the importnce of Unilateralism as the leader of the world . In his article in 94' 'Clinton's first year', he distrust the United Union and Multilaterarism of Clinton Administration . In his article 'Clinton's Bay of Pigs'in 96's , he points the danger of the Iraq , and in his article 'Rebuilding Anti-Saddam Coalition'in 97's , he claims that America should attack Iraq and overturn the Saddam Administration .
To overturn administration of the other country is special idea that conservative people never said . Fransis Fukuyama point that .
5.Conclusion
Wolfowitz don’t have conservative ideology . He claims aggressive policy and carry out invasion of Iraq with government power . Neo-con 2nd generation is different from 1st generation . Fukuyama's argument is true .
6.Today's neo-con 2nd generation
Fukuyama pointed the danger of the idea of Neo-con 2nd generation , such as Unilaterarism , Overtrun other contry's administration . That is true . Now , Neo-con 2nd generation is sepaleted from sevral groups and lose influence in the Bush Administration . But , in the future , if they get the positon , we syould be carefully for their action and ideorogy .
The Summary of the Question and Answer of SHIBU’s Presentation
by U4 Suguru HARADA(16/ 1/2008)
Q: In your argument, the word “conservative”, what does it mean?
A: In Fukuyama’s argument, that I consider it important, 1st generation distrust government power. But 2nd generation tries making “change” by the government power. At this point, Fukuyama regards 2nd generation non-conservative group ideologically.
Q: Could you explain about distrusting government?
A: In neo-conservative’s experience of “From left to Right”, at the first they had learned liberalism and distrusted “big government” model, at the second, they quitted liberalism and shifted to right, but keeping their impression of government power.
Q: Could you give me some detailed examples of their shift?
A: For example, Johnson’s administration implemented a big welfare program and it was failed. Facing on this situation, 1st neo-con generation criticized this policy and disappointed. Finally they changed their political position.
(1)Thank you for your presentation.
Your presentation was so clear that I could understand the outline of your opinion.
Your opinion is very interesting and attractive for me.
When we want to deal with some idea, I think, we have to pay attention not to give an unclear explanation, because idea doesn't have clear shape.
I think you have a clear pillar of wolfowitz, so your opoinon is very clear and easy to underastand.
I greatly want to refer to your style.
Thank you so much.
by Chiyada Kie (3th grade)
(2)I want him to explain more how and why Neo-con 2nd change from Neo-con 1st. Why did 2nd change their mind from "distrust the government power" to "use the government power".
by Tsumura Syouji (4rd grade)
(3)I think that his presentation about neo conservatism in America was very interesting and easy to understand. But it was very difficult for me to understand the political context and the politician's detailed thought. It might be because of the lack of my knowledge about American politics. I think that he should have explained American situation and the position of the neo conservatism in detail before the presentation.
by Kurokawa Yuuki (3rd grade)