2017
Research report
Political 2
The question of the rise of isolationism in MEDCs
By: Amber Nasir
Definitions
“Isolationism” a policy of national isolation by abstention from alliances and other international
political and economic relations
“MEDCs “more economically developed countries, a qualitative value with examples ranging from
the UK, to Norway, Singapore, and South Korea
“Protectionism” the theory or practice of shielding a country's domestic industries from foreign
competition by taxing imports
“Brexit” the leaving of the UK from the European Union trade bloc
“Proxy war” a war instigated by a major power which does not itself become involved
“Trade bloc” a group of states that agree to trade deals for mutual benefit
Introduction
Isolationism is the practising of policy in a nation that does not intervene with other nations
politically. This can be seen as a positive thing, as neutrality in times of international tensions can
mean that a country is not a target for war and military action. However, isolationism, especially of
larger, influential MEDCs can also be seen as harmful, as allegiances it may have otherwise had
with smaller nations could leave these smaller nations vulnerable. Further to this, intervention
and/or influence over other countries politically, can benefit the larger nation, as others act in line
with their interests, however it can be seen as breaching the sovereignty of the nation(s) being
influenced.
The practice of isolationism has typically been seen as an opposing force to economic growth,
with countries and states generally becoming more internationally integrated (and therefore less
isolated), resulting in increased economic growth.
Although widely known isolationist states such as Cuba and D.P.R Korea (North) have been
criticised for these attitudes, it can be seen that MEDCs are similarly beginning to follow suit, in
some regards. Most recently, these egocentric attitudes have been hinted at by the UK, in the vote
to leave the worlds most powerful trade bloc, in desires to fully govern itself, and detach from
international unity, and the desires of lower military intervention have been expressed by both the
new President of the US, Donald Trump, as well as its people, in recent years.
General overview
Ideas of isolationism has not only stemmed following world wars and poor widespread
international relations, but has also been seen as original philosophies from when nations start
afresh, such as when the United States got independence in 1776. Isolationism can be seen as
good for a country politically, as it does not become involved in political issues which do not concern
their nation directly.
Originally, isolationism has been adopted on a hard power basis, with intent to withdraw from
direct political or military involvements with other nations, however following the Second World War,
the nature of power has shifted, suggesting that today’s world faces issues of soft power- subtler,
indirect influence of a nation over another, perhaps culturally or socially as well as politically. From
this, it can be seen that isolationism today may not be as it appeared to be in the past, and perhaps
even as nations officially withdraw themselves, their influence may still remain over others, such as
the criticism the US has faced over its accused involvement in proxy wars un the middle east, even
though there is a lack of US physical presence, and the majority of US troops had been withdrawn
from Afghanistan by 2011.
Perhaps with a similar philosophy to that of Kuznet’s curve, it could be seen that as economic
growth begins to rise, isolationism of nations decreases, to a peak of international integration, yet
following this, there is to be a fall, where as economic growth progresses beyond this peak of
international integration, isolationist policies and outlooks of a nation begin to rise again. There
seems to be a link between a lack of isolationism, and economic integration (possibly as trade
blocs) and therefore trade and economic growth.
The United States of America
Since its independence in 1776, the US has formally recognised that isolationism can be the best
for a country like itself, forming as few alliances as possible, not concerning itself with exterior
affairs. However, following this, over time it appears to have let these viewpoints drop, with
exceptions proceeding the First World War, interwar period, and the Second World War, where in
these times attempts were made to distances itself from the rest of the world, politically.
However, following this, during the events of the Cold War, and attempts at containment of the
USSR’s communist influence, the US has been becoming increasingly interventionist. Converse to
this, it can be seen that the US, (and its ally the UK) are under increasing pressure to become more
isolationist from its people and other global citizens, following the devastations of the Iraq War, and
seeing the reality of interventionism and the effects that it can have.
Previous attempts to solve the issue
Formally, there have been few attempts made to address this issue, perhaps because it has not
been a recognised problem until recently. In his last address to the UN before leaving office,
President Obama highlighted the issues with a nation such as the US becoming increasingly selfcentred in the world’s stage, hinting at the effects that Trump’s presidency may have, yet at the
same time he has not questioned the devastation that interventionism can cause, such as the Iraq
War.
Perhaps in the future, the best solution would be a democratic balance of interventionism and
isolationism from the world’s leading MEDCs.
Bibliography
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-38321401
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Withdrawal_of_U.S._troops_from_Afghanistan
http://www.u-s-history.com/pages/h1601.html
https://history.state.gov/milestones/1937-1945/american-isolationism
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/09/opinion/keller-our-new-isolationism.html
http://www.usip.org/publications/the-risks-isolationism
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/donald-trump-nato-brussels-military-alliancestrong-support-a7566076.html