You might have heard the term “Neo-Nazi” in modern day politics, whether it be from riots from far right protesters self-proclaiming themselves as such, or hard left commentators calling the Republican party ‘Neo-Nazis”. It brings up a question, why does every political movement begin with “Neo”, and what’s the difference between “Neo-idelogies” and Classic Ideologies?
Defining the terms.
An ideology is defined as “A system of ideas and ideals, especially one which forms the basis of economic or political theory and policy.” It can range from how an economy works, to the powers and limitations of the government. Any way of governance or any way an economy is run is an ideology, Including ideas of new ways to run the government. The word “Neo” actually comes from the ancient Greeks, meaning “young, fresh, new”. In Politics, it keeps its meaning. It identifies a movement or ideology as the new version of it, or a refined way of thinking of the ideology. It can also be the exact same version of the ideology, but with new and younger supporters. On the contrary, a “classic” ideology is the original version of an ideology, without altering its motives, ways of thinking, or practices.
So what’s the difference between the two?
The difference between the two can vary depending on which source you consult. Neo-Ideologies often aren’t much different than their original counterparts. However, oftentimes, the New version of an ideology might try to appeal to a younger fanbase, or alter its views because the original members broke off from the original idea. Think of the two as two different scoops of ice cream. Classic ideologies are just the regular vanilla. No toppings, no flashyness, and the classic flavor that can be both simple, and rich in flavor. Neo-Ideologies are full of new ways to make ice cream. Full of sprinkles, caramel that adds to the base flavor, and its fanbase is very different from the classic flavor.
An example.
The biggest thing about “neo” ideologies is that they all are different. Even if a group is labeled under the same term, that doesn’t mean they represent the same thing.
A clear example of this is the people under the term “Neo-Confederates”. Many individuals see the term as a way to represent themselves for southern pride, that the confederate flag is simply a symbol of heritage, and that the Confederate States of America was a righteous country, and were not the aggressors, even if most of the population disagrees. However, other Neo-Confederates believe in white supremacy, that the south should become its own independent nation again, and that the civil war was fought for states rights. The most prominent group showcasing this is the ‘Sons of Confederate Veterans”. These two subsections often disagree with each other, and claim that neither of them present the true idea of the south. Yet, because of their similarities, and support for the confederacy, they are both labeled under the same term.
