Neo-conservative Movement’s Influence on American Policy Makers: Militarism of American Foreign Policy

Abstract

Neoconservative thought is a movement in America which believes on maintaining American military primacy at global level through increased defense spending. This study traces neo-conservative thought in American history and portrays its effects on American policies. This is a qualitative study which relies on books, articles and newspapers. The neo-conservative thought has deep roots in American intelligentsia. The 9/11 attacks brought the ‘neo-conservative moment’ in American history. This study believes that Bush’s war on terror brought neo-conservative’s militaristic approach to American policy. Its main elements were preventive warfare to deny rogue state’s access to Weapons of Mass Destruction and regime change for democratization of such states like Afghanistan and Iraq. Neo-conservative’s reliance on American power and disregard of International Institutions like UN was eminent in Bush’s decision to go to war in Iraq.