Neoconservatism vs Paleoconservatism
Neoconservatism is an American conservative movement known for an assertive foreign policy that promotes democracy, combined with market economics and concern for moral and cultural order.
- The United States should use its power to defend and spread liberal democracy.
- Military strength and credible alliances deter aggression.
- Markets generally work better than government planning, but a modest welfare state is acceptable.
Paleoconservatism is an American conservative current that stresses tradition, local community, national sovereignty and limits on immigration, and opposes foreign intervention and free-trade globalization.
- A nation is rooted in a shared culture, religion and history, not only in abstract ideas.
- Power should be decentralized to states, towns and families.
- The country should avoid foreign wars and nation-building abroad.
- Neoconservatism: petals and stars
- Paleoconservatism: dashed outline
★ Where they differ most
- Trade130 points apart
Neoconservatism: Global (moderate). Paleoconservatism: Protected (strong).
- Technology80 points apart
Neoconservatism: Balanced. Paleoconservatism: Caution (strong).
- Culture75 points apart
Neoconservatism: National identity (mild). Paleoconservatism: National identity (strong).
- Structure70 points apart
Neoconservatism: Central (mild). Paleoconservatism: Local (moderate).
★ Where they are closest
- Welfare · 0 apart
- Ownership · 15 apart
- Security · 20 apart
Axis by axis
Paleoconservatism
Economy
Equality / Markets- OwnershipModerate: Private28%72%PublicPrivate
- MarketsModerate: Free30%70%PlannedFree
- WelfareMild: Self-reliant35%65%SharedSelf-reliant
State and liberty
Liberty / Authority- AuthorityMild: Strong leader40%60%DemocraticStrong leader
- SecurityModerate: Order20%80%LibertyOrder
- StructureMild: Central35%65%LocalCentral
Society
Progress / Tradition- MoralityModerate: Traditional30%70%ProgressiveTraditional
- ReligionMild: Religious35%65%SecularReligious
- TechnologyBalanced50%50%EmbraceCaution
- CultureMild: National identity40%60%MulticulturalNational identity
World
Global / Nation- TradeModerate: Global75%25%GlobalProtected
- Foreign policyStrong: Strength5%95%CooperationStrength
★ 12 Axes Political Test ★
How close are you to Neoconservatism or Paleoconservatism?
Answer plain statements on 12 axes and see your match with Neoconservatism or Paleoconservatism and every other profile on the site, axis by axis.
FAQ
Neoconservatism vs Paleoconservatism
What is the difference between Neoconservatism and Paleoconservatism?
Neoconservatism is an American conservative movement known for an assertive foreign policy that promotes democracy, combined with market economics and concern for moral and cultural order. Paleoconservatism is an American conservative current that stresses tradition, local community, national sovereignty and limits on immigration, and opposes foreign intervention and free-trade globalization. On the 12 axes they differ most on trade, technology, culture.
What do Neoconservatism and Paleoconservatism have in common?
Their positions are closest on welfare, ownership, security. Overall their profiles are a 70% match on the 12 axes used by the 12 Axes Political Test.
Am I closer to Neoconservatism or Paleoconservatism?
Take the 12 Axes Political Test. Your result shows your match with both, and with every other ideology on the site, axis by axis.