Isolationism
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Isolationism is a foreign policy which combines a non-interventionist military and a political policy of economic nationalism (protectionism). In other words, it asserts both of the following:
- Non-interventionism - Political rulers should avoid entangling alliances with other nations and avoid all wars not related to direct territorial self-defense.
- Protectionism - There should be legal barriers to prevent trade and cultural exchange with people in other states.
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[edit] Introduction
"Isolationism" has always been a debated political topic. Whether or not a country should be or should not be isolationist affects both living standards and the ability of political rulers to benefit favored firms and industries.
All the first world countries (the UK, United States, etc.) trade in a world economy. Some will argue that removing oneself from such an economy could be potentially helpful. The consensus amongst most economists is that such a policy is detrimental, and point to the mercantilism of the pre-industrial era as the classic example. Countries and regions generally enjoy a comparative advantage over others in some area. Free trade between countries allows each country to do what it does best, and benefit from the products and services that others do best. Protectionism prevents this process, it is argued, making people poorer than they would be otherwise.
On the other hand, non-interventionism generally benefits a country by reducing both military spending (as it is limited to defensive purposes) and the chances of provoking an attack (by not meddling in foreign intrigue.)
[edit] Isolationism by country
[edit] Japan
From 1641 to 1853, the Tokugawa shogunate of Japan enforced a policy which it called sakoku. The policy prohibited foreign contact except with China, Korea, and Netherlands. During this time, the culture of Japan developed in ways mostly free of influence from the outside world and had one of the longest stretches of peace in history; however, in the absence of modernization, Japan eventually fell prey to foreign powers, and the harsh regime of economic and military development that Japan subsequently imposed on itself worked to modernize and militarize Japanese society.
[edit] New Zealand
Under the Muldoon government a high level of protectionism was in place. This was markedly reduced under the fourth Labour government when it came into power in 1984. Non-interventionism has started to occur recently with the Afghanistan and Gulf wars. X]
[edit] United States
Following the sacrifices in the World War I, the United States population turned to isolationism during the 1920s, opposing any action by the government that would drag the country into another European war. This isolationist tendency led to the imposition of tariffs, thought to be a significant factor in causing the Great Depression. American isolationism came to an end during World War II, particularly following the Japanese attack at Pearl Harbor in December of 1941.
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