Isolationism

Introduction

Isolationism is a foreign policy doctrine characterized by a nation’s deliberate avoidance of entanglement in international affairs and its commitment to maintaining a policy of non-intervention in the conflicts and alliances of other nations. Instead, the nation opts to focus on its own domestic interests and avoiding extensive political, economic, or military entanglements with other countries. 

This doctrine is founded on the belief that a nation’s primary focus should be the preservation of its own sovereignty, security, and interests, often at the expense of active participation in global diplomatic, economic, and military affairs. Isolationism has been employed by various nations throughout history as a means of safeguarding their autonomy and minimizing external influences.^[1]

Conservative Perspective

Conservatives generally support isolationism for three, main reasons. First, conservatives argue that isolationism protects national security and promotes fiscal responsibility. Second, conservatives view isolationism as a tool to protect the nation’s sovereignty. Third, isolationism helps protect the beliefs and values which the nation was built upon.

National Security and Fiscal Responsibility

For conservatives, isolationism is viewed as a means to prioritize national security and minimize risk. That is, by refraining from military interventions in distant conflicts and reducing overseas military commitments, nations can reduce the exposure of their personnel and resources to potential threats. This approach aligns with the conservative belief in a strong national defense and advocates for a more restrained and defensive posture.^[2]

Conservatives also highlight the importance of fiscal responsibility and economic prosperity as central components of isolationism. Arguments are made by conservatives that by avoiding protracted foreign conflicts, which could potentially be destabilizing, the nation can redirect resources towards domestic priorities, such as infrastructure development, job creation, and reducing the national debt.^[3]

Sovereignty and Realism in International Relations

Another critical argument made by conservatives in favor of isolationism is the principle of sovereignty. They contend that the nation should not become entangled in international alliances or organizations that may infringe upon its ability to make independent decisions which best serve its interests. This isn’t to say that conservatives completely oppose alliances, as some might serve the security interests of the state.^[4]

Conservatives also emphasize the need for a more measured and calculated foreign policy approach. A return to the principles of realism, where the nation’s foreign policy decisions are guided by a careful assessment of national interests and a recognition of the limits of its power, is advocated by conservatives. This perspective prioritizes a more cautious and selective approach to international engagement, emphasizing diplomacy and negotiation as primary foreign policy tools.

Traditional Values

Conservatives assert the importance of preserving the nation’s culture and values. That’s why arguments are made that isolationism helps protect the traditions and beliefs, which the nation was built upon, from dilution or corruption by foreign influences. A clear example of this is how some European nations have faced such issues due to the EU.