Why would isolationism be a bad policy for the U.S.?

Question

I could elaborate; but I would prefer to not influence the answers.

Answer 1

Isolation in itself would not be bad for the U.S., but that would adversely affect the economy and that would equal a big no no for the rich and powerful.

Answer 2

It would be bad and here is why we did practice a form of isolationism before world war 2 that's is why the world economy was in such a shambles. When WW2 started most Americans were such isolationist that they encourage our government to mind our business and stay out of the war. Well Japan but and end to that and 50 million dead later we ended the war. If the US should ever become isolationist all hell would break out all over the world with the strong preying on the weak. Some people say that the world would be great but they have tunnel vision because during both world wars the strong was preying on the weak before we got involve, I shudder to thing what this world would be like without the US helping to keep many nations free.

Answer 3

If you are speaking of the kind of isolationism Japan experienced from 1600 to 1883, then U.S. will fall even further behind the rest of the modernized clear-thinking world. Also, tradewise, today U.S. has a huge trade deficit and isolation would further stretch that gap, tourism would suffer too. Politically, isolationism could be good for the U.S. economically however it will not, since we need foreign trade. U.S. diplomacy should only stretch towards trade and economical benefits of the country, not personal agenda or religious groups. Isolationism is bad for the economical and technological progress as it limits exchange of ideas and practices. Political isolationism is beneficial for the people of the country (look at Switzerland) where energy is concentrated on economy within the country and diplomacy only for business purposes.

Answer 4

Well then the U.S. would have no influence in the U.N. or the rest of the world. The way it is now it's easy to keep an eye on what's happening before a government becomes to powerful. And even if the U.S, chose to stick it's colective heads in the sand, the nuclear research and other weapons of mass destruction would continue.

The world is like a web every thing everywhere and everyone are connected. If Isreal is taken by palestien/ or whatever situation you would chose. The U.S, will be affected. Not to mention are exports would cease our inports would stop and our market would crash.

With the rapid transit planes in hours compared to weeks or months on a boat. The communication systems and all it would be nearly impossible.

On a personal note I could no longer watch Galacticast as that is broadcast from Canada, if none of the other reasons are sufficient this one is

Answer 5

The US derives its strength from multilateralism. For example, Hollywood thrives on showcasing US to the world. Without multilateralism, they would need to close business. Businesses cut cost by going to other "cheaper" nations to manufacture and deliver services.

Multilateralism allows US to influence others to its point of view by military and economic carrot.

On the other hand, isolationism allows hostile forces to concentrate on US homeland itself, because they know that when US have less friends, they have more platform from which to launch attacks against the US.

It's truly a win-win situation for the US to engage the world and try to make peace with the most of them.

Answer 6

In this day and age with travel as easy as it is, and with the current border security issues, it would be pointless. Then there are the big businesses that have branched overseas as the world economy has come to be. Then look at how China has fared with it. They have done as much as they can with the restrictive conditions of Communism and it hasn't been all that healthy. Look at how their people are suffering economically and their minimal human rights.

Answer 7

I don't think it would be such a bad policy, it worked for a while. But then again, we ARE the only current world power.

Answer 8

Plenty of countries do fine minding their own business. Meddling in the affairs of others is often a business venture.

Answer 9

it would create less economic growth for the USA.

it would make other countries not like the US as much if we are not involved with anything but ourselves. we have to branch out and present the US as a country with values and compassion if we want to make any friends.

our military allies would be less willing to aid us if we were to be attacked, and we could risk losing allies if we don't help them out.

i'm sure there are other good reasons, but i just can't think of any.

Answer 10

If we abandoned world trade and our allies, the dollar would collapse from a 'de facto' currency, to utterly worthless. Things would become more expensive and gas prices would soar. Not to mention that malevolent nations like china and Russia would become increasingly assertive.

The real question that you would want to ask yourself is, "Why would isolationism be a good policy?"