This page is no longer being updated and remains online for informational and historical purposes only. The information is accurate as of the last page update.
For questions about page contents, contact the Communications Division.
Driven by his passion to learn more about the political climate of the United States, Raymond Conger ’07 (Green Pond, N.J.) chose to conduct honors thesis research on the currents of neoconservative thought in the U.S., focusing on the post-Cold War period.
“I hope to identify why the Bush administration, whose policies are highly correlated with neoconservative beliefs, has taken the course of action it has,” says the history major. “I decided to take on the project because, as a history major, you spend your first three years developing your analytical, research, and writing skills and I figured there would be no better way to end my collegiate career than with something that would represent my hard work and maturity.”
Conger’s maturity includes knowing his thesis represents an opportunity to add to the considerable knowledge he has gained during his undergraduate years.
“I chose the topic because I am confused as to the current state of the United States, which starts with its aggressive foreign policy,” he says.
Arnold Offner, Hugel Professor of History, is Conger’s thesis adviser.
“Ray is looking to determine the intellectual roots of the neoconservative ideology, which seems to have been fostered largely by disgruntled mainstream Democrats who would later become ‘Reagan Democrats,’” he explains. “These journalists, public intellectuals, and sometime public officials were angered over America’s defeat in the Vietnam War, disliked the anti-war protest movement, the 1960s domestic counterculture, and Nixon and Kissinger’s pursuit of detente with the USSR and initial recognition of the People’s Republic of China.”
Offner adds that neoconservatives also railed at Jimmy Carter’s foreign policy and then supported Reagan’s arms buildup in the 1980s and his counterrevolutionary wars in Central America. Offner asserts that after the collapse of Communism in Europe and the demise of the Soviet Union, neoconservatives called for the U.S. to maintain its position as top military power and to press other countries around the globe to model their political and economic institutions along American lines.
“They generally took a dim view of international organizations, especially the U.N., and were in the forefront – including high government positions – in urging the George Bush administration to undertake ‘regime change’ in Iraq by overthrowing Saddam Hussein’s government,” Offner says. “Ray is trying to determine whether the ideology of the neoconservatives led logically to the current war in Iraq, and how or in what way the U.S. needs to rethink its worldview in the coming years if it is not to remain mired in perpetual conflict.”
Conger has taken several courses with Offner, who believes the student’s approach to academics has allowed him to achieve success in the classroom.
“Ray is a very careful researcher and a critical and independent thinker,” he says. “He reads widely, is diligent, writes well, and is not afraid to express his views.”
Conger is benefiting from Offner’s extensive background and knowledge base.
“I am very glad to be working with [Offner],” Conger says. “He is a premier historian in the field of American foreign policy, and his knowledge and perspective are invaluable to me. He has looked out for my interests and helped me greatly so far.”
Professors like Offner have contributed to Conger’s outstanding experience at Lafayette. He believes a liberal arts education has given him new perspectives on the topics he is studying.
“I am currently looking into morality in foreign policy,” says Conger. “The small size of the school has helped fulfill my needs as they become apparent, and teachers and resources have been readily available.”
Conger came to Lafayette uncertain of what he wanted to study or pursue as a career. After taking a few history classes, he decided to major in history and minor in economics and business. Now, Conger is considering a career in finance.
“[That] may seem illogical for a history major, but I feel that history has given me skills that many economics and business majors might lack,” he explains. “Finance interests me because of the nature of the business, which is competitive.”
Offner believes the experience of completing an honors thesis project will benefit Conger, no matter what career path he chooses.
“Learning to pull together a large research project and present your findings in writing and an oral presentation is the best preparation one can have for presenting oneself and one’s ideas in a job interview or, afterward, in persuading colleagues at work to accept your take on a problem or issue and how to resolve it,” Offner says.
Conger is a member of Rugby Club.
Honors theses are among several major programs that have made Lafayette a national leader in undergraduate research. The College sends one of the largest contingents to the National Conference on Undergraduate Research each year; 21 students were accepted to present their research at this year’s conference.