I've found in discussing politics recently that many people are misunderstood of the meaning behind
isolationism. I don't blame people for their ignorance mostly because the media rams incorrect information down their throats constantly. So allow me to educate:
Isolationism: s the policy or doctrine of isolating one's country from the affairs of other nations by declining to enter into alliances, foreign economic commitments, international agreements, etc., seeking to devote the entire efforts of one's country to its own advancement and remain at peace by avoiding foreign entanglements and responsibilities.
- Non-interventionism – Political rulers should avoid entangling alliances with other nations and avoid all wars not related to direct territorial differences (self-defense).
- Protectionism – There should be legal barriers to control trade and cultural exchange with people in other states.
Nonintervention or
non-interventionism is a foreign policy which holds that political rulers should avoid alliances with other nations, but still retain
diplomacy, and avoid all wars not related to direct self-defense. This is based on the grounds that a state should not interfere in the internal politics of another state, based upon the principles of
state sovereignty and
self-determination. A similar phrase is "strategic independence".
[1] Historical examples of supporters of non-interventionism are US Presidents
George Washington and
Thomas Jefferson, who both favored nonintervention in European Wars while maintaining
free trade. Other proponents include
United States Senator Robert Taft and
United States Congressman Ron Paul.
[2]
Nonintervention is distinct from isolationism, the latter featuring economic nationalism (protectionism) and restrictive immigration. Proponents of non-interventionism distinguish their policies from isolationism through their advocacy of more open national relations, to include diplomacy and free trade.
I hope this clears up any confusion. Thank you.
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