Editor Was Godfather of Neoconservatism

Editor Was Godfather of Neoconservatism

www.washingtonpost.com...

Irving Kristol, 89, a forceful essayist, editor and university professor who became the leading architect of neoconservatism, which he called a political and intellectual movement for disaffected ex-liberals, like himself, who had been "mugged by reality," died Friday at Capital Hospice in Arlington County.

I was surprised that this hadn't already generated a thread here on ATS. For a historical perspective on neoconservatism Irving Kristol would be the place to start.

Kristol was a real intellectual, like Buckley. He's what the Republican Party is severely lacking right now.

If there were a few more like him at the helm of the party, instead of the likes of talk show personalities like Beck and Limbaugh, it would be a much more powerful force in American politics today.

It would actually be possible for the left and the right to reason together in a civilized manner.

But as long as the GOP sticks to its populist, "know-nothing," anti-intellectual, fear-mongering leadership it's doomed.

reply to post by Sestias


Well said. Irving Kristol's political ideologies ran the gamut until he finally settled on shaping conservatism. He was a sociologist. He promoted an agenda rather than simply being a reactionary. Too much of what passes for the conservative message has been obscured by catch phrases and a disdain for education on the grounds that intellectualism is "too elitist". For the sake of the entire country the GOP needs to focus on restructuring it's goals in order to engage in a productive dialogue.

My condolences go out to his family.

[edit on 22-9-2009 by elfie]