I don't mean to insist upon an historical perspective so as to call a rose by some other name. The worldview of the next President is important. There are distinctions to be noted in the use of power.

Obama was against the Iraq war but saw himself obligated to execute what he inherited of it as he saw fit. He expanded efforts in Afghanistan when he considered that was necessary. Although he campaigned on the promise to close Guantanamo Bay, it is still operating. I don't think he lied about his intentions but saw things differently when he had to face all the other consequences of the decision. Obama continued and expanded the Bush Doctrine in regards to fighting the "War on Terror." Do all these decisions mean that he is a Neocon too? If one looks at the matter at a distance with a general checklist the answer could be yes but that would blur the lines of important differences with the genuine article. My objection to the checklist is that it leaves out how the military industrial complex is integrated in the projection of American power.

Sanders is obviously not a Neocon and is unlikely to start an invasion someplace but he has not implied that he is going to scale back U.S. influence. He says he will continue the War on Terror. He says he will crush ISIS by getting Saudi Arabia and the Gulf States to march over and kick their butt. Pulling that off is going to take a big stick and a bigger carrot. Sanders hasn't discussed much in the way of foreign policy but his proposals to sharply curtail trade agreements and tp break up banks will have an extensive influence on the rest of the world. My respect for him would be greater if he took more responsibility for that element.

Presidential politics aside, the change in attitude you speak of has a lot to do with our citizens becoming more "cosmopolitan." The arrogance of our leaders reflects our character.