Commentary on Foreign Policy Isolationism

i·so·la·tion·ism  (s-lsh-nzm)

n.

A national policy of abstaining from political or economic relations with other countries.

 

Isolationism has long been thought to be the primary philosophy of American foreign policy, and is particularly advocated for by conservative GOP party members. 

 

While isolationism can just be viewed as a country protecting its self-interest, foreign policy isolationism can also be seen as a collective submission to social Darwinism. A large part of foreign policy for such a large and powerful country as the United States is deciding when to intervene in other matters for reasons of national interest, the protection of allies, or a multitude of other instances. While there are a few instances of the American military's heroism for other countries, the country and the Department of Defense have traditionally had a hands off approach to the world's geopolitical disputes unless it an imminent threat is posed upon an interest of the government. 

There are social Darwinist aspects of this philosophy because the traditional definition of the ideology roots in a hands off, let the world's order progress as it should manner. The typical human instinct is to stand by unless you (or your interests) are provoked or threatened. While semi-isolationism has proved a somewhat successful policy for America, there have been many instances where detrimental effects could have been potentially avoided by ally intervention. There is no way to tell if government intervention or compromise on the fronts of the Rwandan genocide, or multiple instances of homeland terrorism could have presented better outcomes, but all that can be determined is that isolationism is generally safe-- a substantial way to protect what is most important to you. 

But is a complete hands-off tactic, encouraging people to be bystanders always the right choice?

Haven't we been a country to teach our children to be the upstander-- how come when it comes to the world stage age-old ideologies come back to haunt us as the world's "natural order" takes its toll?