Trumpism vs Neoconservatism vs Neoliberalism Explained
Three Right-Wing Roads, Three Very Different Destinations
The right isn’t one thing. It’s three competing worldviews fighting for control. Trumpism vs Neoconservatism vs Neoliberalism
- Neoconservatives want endless wars for democracy.
- Neoliberals want endless markets for profit.
- Trumpists want America First — at any cost.
All wear the conservative label. None agree on what it means.
Trumpism: Populism with Tariffs
- Nationalism and “America First.”
- Immigration restrictions and trade protectionism.
- Distrust of elites, media, and global institutions.
- Populist style: direct, emotional, combative.
Who benefits? Working-class voters who want jobs back home.
Who doesn’t? Global corporations and traditional foreign-policy hawks.
Neoconservatism: Wars for Democracy
- Interventionist foreign policy, moral clarity.
- America as global policeman.
- Alliance with social conservatism at home.
Who benefits? Defense contractors, foreign policy think-tanks.
Who doesn’t? Soldiers, taxpayers, countries on the receiving end.
Neoliberalism: Markets Without Borders
- Deregulation, privatisation, globalisation.
- Faith in free markets over state intervention.
- Strong alignment with corporations and finance.
Who benefits? Multinationals, financial elites.
Who doesn’t? Workers and communities hollowed out by outsourcing.
The Consequences
The right has split into three incompatible tribes:
- Trumpists want walls.
- Neocons want wars.
- Neoliberals want markets.
The only thing they share is opposition to the left. Beyond that? Open civil war inside the “right.”
👉 Want the bigger picture on how power really works? Visit our Politics of Power Explainer Hub to see how leaders, corporations, and ideologies battle for control.
FAQ
What is Trumpism?
A populist, nationalist movement tied to Donald Trump, focused on immigration control and economic protectionism.
What is Neoconservatism?
An ideology pushing U.S. military intervention to spread democracy and protect American dominance.
What is Neoliberalism?
An economic philosophy promoting free markets, deregulation, and globalisation.
Why do they clash?
Trumpists reject foreign wars and free trade, which are central to neocon and neoliberal visions.
Who benefits from each?
Trumpism appeals to workers, neoconservatism to defense elites, neoliberalism to corporations.
