t a l l a p e

Francis Fukuyama, writing in the New York Times Magazine, explains the neoconservative political philosophy and how it’s failed. (A suggestion: go read this now, before it falls behind the TimesSelect curtain.)

Taz notes the article as well, though I think he’s wrong about how many people Fukuyama means to include in his reconsideration/renunciation. I think it’s basically just him.

One thing that I will say for the neoconservatives: though I consider their philsophy to be wrongheaded and dangerous, at least it’s a philosophy. Unlike “movement conservatives”, they’re basing their actions on something other than a simple lust for power. “American Exceptionalism” has, I think, been discredited at this point; but believing in the exceptionalism of American society is at least a belief in something more than personal entitlement. (Tom Delay, you wanker, I’m looking your way right now.)