>One undefined variable that allows it to go on unassailed...
>The definition of neocon. There is no standard.
Sure there is. There's the old-style neocon, like Irving Kristol. Mostly cultured former anti-communist leftists, they turned right on issues around race, crime, and welfare. They're not anti-statists; they often believe in state enforcement of morality and order. Not terribly interested in economic issues. And then there are the neo-cons around Bush - assertive nationalists who love the military and hate multilateralism. There's considerable ideological overlap between the two senses; they're fond of the right kind of state power and aren't terribly interested in economics. They love discipline and order. And they're more cerebral than your garden variety American conservative.
Doug