The majority of the world does not want or accept U.S. hegemony and is prepared to face it down rather than submit to its dictates, writes Jeffrey D. Sachs.
By Jeffrey D. Sachs
Common Dreams
The recent BRICS Summit in Kazan, Russia, should mark the end of the Neocon delusions encapsulated
Good article, this is a tangential question that i thought while reading it - is there a fundamental difference even worth noting these days between neoliberal and neocon?
Neocon is a subcategory of neoliberal. Neoliberal is a big, overarching political ideology that encompasses Republicans, Democrats, and others. Neocon is a specific movement or trend within the “conservative” wing of neoliberalism.
Oh, I misunderstood your question, my bad. I read your wording as suggesting they were separate categories.
To answer your question, I think there’s still a paleocon/neocon rift, so there’s at least that much to distinguish elements of contemporary neoliberalism, but I think I agree with your implied thesis that the “left” wing of neoliberalism has withered to the point that it’s at least quite difficult to distinguish it as having values distinct from one of the further right wing, it just talks about them differently.
I’ve heard self-described neo-liberals praise neocons by saying “neocons fight wars to make the world safe for neoliberalism”. The difference between the 2 does not exist and even the neolibs/neocons don’t think it meaningfully exists. As best, they could be said to have different immediate priorities.
Neolibs still want to preserve the “rules based order” in a more literal sense. Neocons want the American Empire and are not afraid to admit it.
Neolibs also want it, but tend to believe this is achievable or even already achieved through the liberal world institutions and “globalization”(Marxist imperialism). Wars are not inherently good, despite being profitable, it must not be the first solution and/or it must be justified through these liberal institutions.
So in comparison, neolibs actualy believed in end of history, there are no more true enemies and everyone will eventualy accept the market or bend to economic interests e.g what they believed about China.
Neocons believe that is not enough or not yet and America must continue to fight their strategic enemies. They always saw China and Russia as key strategic enemies where the only solution is domination, they’re very open about continuing with the Cold war mentality despite Russia’s defeat.
When looking at a Trump government I think he wont be able to just impose his neocon idiot wishes without some pushback.
For example the current US military buildup against China is definitely a neocon initiative. Neolibs go along with it because they dare not confront the MIC but they also believe they can dominate China economicaly see CHIPS act, Yellen/Blinken going to China to threaten them with economic consequences and tell them they’re wrong. They believe they can outcompete China but first China must play “fair” i.e become a western style economy based on consumption.
Neocons instead want war and real containment no matter the cost. So Trump will have to deal with a lot of western CEOs and investors that understand a significant part of their profits come from China. Neolibs want to contain China but don’t necessarily agree with a full war, even more so US illegitimate aggression. Its why Taiwan is the “key”, its the bait.
His second trip to the country in less than a year included a meeting Sunday with Chinese Premier Li Qiang, who praised Tesla as a “successful model” for US-China collaboration.
Because he understands China was one of his biggest market. Neolibs don’t want to face the real consequences of a global war and global crisis. Money talks.
For neocons it doesn’t matter as much as building the American Empire, an eye for an eye as long as the US wins in Asia it will be worth it, they fear to be missing the opportunity.
Good article, this is a tangential question that i thought while reading it - is there a fundamental difference even worth noting these days between neoliberal and neocon?
Neocon is a subcategory of neoliberal. Neoliberal is a big, overarching political ideology that encompasses Republicans, Democrats, and others. Neocon is a specific movement or trend within the “conservative” wing of neoliberalism.
Right I know that much but my point is whether there’s actually a meaningful difference between any of them anymore.
Oh, I misunderstood your question, my bad. I read your wording as suggesting they were separate categories.
To answer your question, I think there’s still a paleocon/neocon rift, so there’s at least that much to distinguish elements of contemporary neoliberalism, but I think I agree with your implied thesis that the “left” wing of neoliberalism has withered to the point that it’s at least quite difficult to distinguish it as having values distinct from one of the further right wing, it just talks about them differently.
I’ve heard self-described neo-liberals praise neocons by saying “neocons fight wars to make the world safe for neoliberalism”. The difference between the 2 does not exist and even the neolibs/neocons don’t think it meaningfully exists. As best, they could be said to have different immediate priorities.
Neolibs still want to preserve the “rules based order” in a more literal sense. Neocons want the American Empire and are not afraid to admit it. Neolibs also want it, but tend to believe this is achievable or even already achieved through the liberal world institutions and “globalization”(Marxist imperialism). Wars are not inherently good, despite being profitable, it must not be the first solution and/or it must be justified through these liberal institutions.
So in comparison, neolibs actualy believed in end of history, there are no more true enemies and everyone will eventualy accept the market or bend to economic interests e.g what they believed about China.
Neocons believe that is not enough or not yet and America must continue to fight their strategic enemies. They always saw China and Russia as key strategic enemies where the only solution is domination, they’re very open about continuing with the Cold war mentality despite Russia’s defeat.
When looking at a Trump government I think he wont be able to just impose his neocon idiot wishes without some pushback.
For example the current US military buildup against China is definitely a neocon initiative. Neolibs go along with it because they dare not confront the MIC but they also believe they can dominate China economicaly see CHIPS act, Yellen/Blinken going to China to threaten them with economic consequences and tell them they’re wrong. They believe they can outcompete China but first China must play “fair” i.e become a western style economy based on consumption.
Neocons instead want war and real containment no matter the cost. So Trump will have to deal with a lot of western CEOs and investors that understand a significant part of their profits come from China. Neolibs want to contain China but don’t necessarily agree with a full war, even more so US illegitimate aggression. Its why Taiwan is the “key”, its the bait.
To give a better example, Musk loves Trump but he will also go to China and praise China. Why?
Because he understands China was one of his biggest market. Neolibs don’t want to face the real consequences of a global war and global crisis. Money talks.
For neocons it doesn’t matter as much as building the American Empire, an eye for an eye as long as the US wins in Asia it will be worth it, they fear to be missing the opportunity.