The Neoconservatives

About this book

Steinfels main problem is to establish that the amorphous group known as new conservatives have a definable doctrine. A former editor of Commonweal hes known many of his subjects as opponents but unlike other liberal analysts he takes the neoconservatives very seriously. That they form a group is undeniable; as he emphasizes their main foci are the journals Commentary & Public Interest & its mainly there--with forays into The Atlantic Monthly Encounter The Wall Street Journal The New Leader & Fortune that they gather: Daniel Bell Nathan Glazer Irving Kristol Robert Nisbet Daniel Moynihan et al. That they form a literary coterie is significant because their style oriented toward High Journalism defines many of its characteristics: Neoconservatism it might be said is literary criticism & social science aspiring to the rank of political philosophy. This group is also characterized by generational homogeneity (most were born in the 20s); by the former leftist orientation of its members; & by the positions of power they occupy in academic & literary circles. But Steinfels is intent on making the more important claim that neoconservatism could become the true conservatism this country has lacked. Accepting the liberal consensus view of American history he nevertheless argues that the neoconservative emphasis upon the lack of moral values in a secular society & their championing of capitalist rationality form the foundation for a conservative theory built on the achievements of American liberalism. Centering on Kristol Bell & Moynihan Steinfels exposes the neoconservatives weaknesses--lack of self-criticism pomposity misrepresentation of their opponents position refusal to criticize capitalism inconsistency--while praising their effort to raise substantive issues for public scrutiny. Elsewhere he examines the history of neoconservatism thru the Cold War & the New Left the neoconservative critique of the new class of alienated intellectuals & issues of equality & public policy. Altho he sometimes makes their theories more plausible than they are he makes a good case for taking the neos seriously. Comprehensive up-to-date & accessible.--Kirkus (edited)