Neoconservatism is perhaps the slipperiest of current intellectual trends. Its adherents downplay the term itself, calling neoconservatism variously a “persuasion,” a “mode of thinking,” or even a “mood.” Our lead essayist this month begs to differ. Drawing on his recent book Neoconservatism: An Obituary for an Idea, C. Bradley Thompson claims that the thinking of two individuals illuminates nearly all of what we know today as neoconservatism. Those individuals are Irving Kristol and Leo Strauss, featured prominently on this month’s banner art.

Thompson argues that Kristol learned from Strauss a startling form of political pragmatism. The intellectual elite — represented, of course, by themselves — is privy to truths that would confuse, anger, or even corrupt the common man. What’s an intellectual giant to do?

Why, deceive, of course, and dissemble about it. Ordinary folk get a platitudinous mix of national greatness, folksy wisdom, and civic mythology. They are taught to value self-sacrifice, virtue, and duty to the common good — which means duty to the state. They are encouraged to support wars, because wars build up the state while keeping ordinary folk loyal to their betters. Not that their betters share either the common beliefs or the common sacrifices. They don’t.

It’s a scathing indictment. But is it fair? Here to discuss this month are political theorist Patrick Deneen of Georgetown University, philosopher Douglas Rasmussen of St. John’s University, and journalist and author Damon Linker of Newsweek/The Daily Beast, noted for his keen eye on the American right.