Isolationism, Non-interventionism and Protectionism - Essay Example

A country that practices isolationism believes in both of the following approaches:

1. Non-interventionism - Political rulers make decisions not to make alliances with other countries and not to fight against any country except to fight for self-defense.
2. Protectionism - Legal barriers are set to avoid foreign investors and cultural impact on local people.

However, the United States also adopted Isolationism in the 18th century through a memorable speech by George Washington in which he said that

“The great rule of conduct for us, regarding foreign nations, is in extending our commercial relations, to have with them as little political connection as possible.”

His speech was the foundation of Isolationism in the United States of America and the country followed this approach for more than 100 hundred years. Before the beginning of World War II, the Crash of 1929 was a big economic setback for the American government to rethink its foreign policy of non-interventionism. However, World War II was the major fear for America to drop its isolationism and jump to help the rest of the world. As President Roosevelt said in his speech:

“When peace has been broken anywhere, the peace of all countries everywhere is in danger,”

In the post-Cold War era, the United States emerged as a unilateral country. Unilateralism is a type of foreign policy in which the government makes decisions without getting the support and cooperation of other governments. Such actions are taken when other parties do not agree with the course of action of one party and that party fears disapproval and upcoming conflicts. Unilateralism can be useful in situations where a decision has to be for the national benefit and the survival of the country. In such a situation, political leaders may decide to operate alone without getting advice and opinions from other parties in any kind of alliance or agreement.

For the last two decades, it has been practicing unilateralism as an approach to economic strength. By practicing this approach, the United States has become a center of envy and suspicion around the globe. The American critics claimed that the United States is doing what every country would do for its strength and stability, the only difference is the choices available to the United States, unlike other countries. However, the United States is presently disconnected from many countries of the world due to several economic and military conflicts.

Multilateralism can be described as a coalition of multiple countries for a common objective. The United States always pursues a unilateral philosophy but when it comes to war, they seek alliances. The events of Nine-Eleven indeed changed the US's basic approach to making foreign relations. With a military budget of $685 billion in the fiscal year of 2010 and several unilateral agendas shown through its international economic and criminal decisions is enough to conclude that the United States wants to be the World’s most powerful country with absolute freedom. Although this approach is damaging its image around the globe and conveying a misuse of power its recent success in the war against terrorism may bring some understanding and close relations with other countries. Read More