Let's face it: the United States government is in shambles. People have been predicting the inevitable fracture and defeat of the Republicans for years because there is such a strong divide between the traditional conservatives and the neo-conservatives. Given the egregious and undeniable failures of the Bush administration's neo-conservative ideology in the Middle East and throughout the War on Terror, popular support for the movement should surely wane, if not die altogether. Some might predict that after the recent elections not a single member of Congress will identify himself with the "neo-conservative" agenda. Others would say it is on the verge of death, and the end of the current White House administration would be the end of neo-conservatism and a new beginning for the United States. However this rationale overlooks the strong ties that bind neo-conservatism to evangelical Christianity - an affiliation that may breathe new life into this seemingly doomed political philosophy.
Neo-conservatives frequently appeal to religious principles to further their political agenda. By championing Christian values and projecting a Christian identity, neo-conservatives garner the support of many individuals who equate religious righteousness with political righteousness. Effectively, these supporters extend their blind faith to these politicians. While blind faith is required in religion, it is an extremely dangerous practice in secular life, because it obstructs critical thought - a necessity for democracy. A perfect God certainly deserves blind faith, but all humans, politicians included, are inherently imperfect. In the BBC documentary The Power of Nightmares, Michael Lind states that "for the neo-conservatives, religion is an instrument of promoting morality." While morality is by definition righteous and religion is, in principle, moral, religion has been manipulated for immoral and unrighteous ends.
Religious conservatives have exploited religion in the last Presidential election, building a strong base of support for neo-conservatism. The Bush administration has exploited this religious base to justify its expansionist policies, exhibited in the muscular exercise of U.S. military, economic and political power abroad.
Yes, other parties have abused their power and have waged unjust wars in the past. However the neo-conservative mantle is distinctly unapologetic, exceptionally arrogant, and driven to excess in these regards: The party that portrays itself as morally righteous is particularly reluctant to admit or learn for their mistakes. Thich Nhat Hanh, a famous Vietnamese monk and writer, said it best: "In order to rally people, governments need enemies. They want us to be afraid, to hate, so we will rally behind them. And if they do not have a real enemy, they will invent one in order to mobilize us."
I do not fear the enemy created by the current neo-conservative movement. Few nations would be foolhardy enough to follow the U.S.'s precedent of disregarding the rights of loyal and law-abiding citizens under the pretext of national security, or to exploit religious sympathies in pursuit of power. We have the power to end the neoconservative movement. We can rescue this country from traveling down the destructive path of war, abuse of loyal rights and failed international leadership - all justified under the mantle of conservatism.
Neo-conservatives believe that national security is best attained with the spreading of "freedom" and "democracy." This aggressive diplomatic approach deviates considerably from the original conservative mantle - to maintain supportive and mutually beneficial trade relationships with regimes, while avoiding unnecessary interventions in foreign affairs. This isolationism is the basis of true conservatism - a diplomatic philosophy that was clearly violated by the highly interventionist and mutually detrimental Iraq War.
The end of the neoconservative era hinges on much more than the outcome of the 2008 presidential election, it relies on the enlightenment of the public. Christians must realize that Christian politicians will not always champion Christian virtues, and fellow conservatives must understand that the neo-conservative movement is only vaguely connected to conservatism. By withdrawing their support for a political philosophy that does not represent our interests, we have the power to bring an end to the predominance of neo-conservatism.
