Isolationism in International Relations: Definition and Examples

Isolationism in international relations refers to a country’s foreign policy of avoiding involvement in international conflicts and avoiding alliances with other countries. It is a policy of non-interference in the affairs of other countries and a focus on domestic issues. Isolationism can be motivated by a variety of reasons, such as a desire to avoid entangling alliances, a focus on domestic issues, or a belief that the country can remain safe and secure without involving itself in international conflicts. Isolationism has been a controversial foreign policy stance, with some arguing that it allows a country to avoid the costs and risks of involvement in international conflicts, while others argue that it can lead to a lack of leadership on global issues and can leave the country vulnerable to external threats.

Types of Isolationism n International Relations

1. Economic isolationism: This refers to policies that aim to minimize a country’s economic dependence on other countries and to protect domestic industries from foreign competition. Examples of economic isolationism might include tariffs and trade barriers, as well as efforts to encourage domestic production and consumption.
2. Political isolationism: This refers to policies that aim to minimize a country’s political involvement in international affairs and to avoid entanglement in the conflicts and disputes of other countries. Political isolationism might involve a country abstaining from international organizations or international treaties, or avoiding participation in international peacekeeping or other efforts.
3. Military isolationism: Refers to policies that aim to minimize a country’s military involvement in international affairs and to avoid involvement in military conflicts abroad. Military isolationism might involve a country abstaining from alliances or military agreements with other countries, or limiting its military capabilities to a purely defensive posture.

Examples of Isolationism in International Relations

Some historical examples of isolationism in international relations include:

• The US policy of isolationism prior to World War II, in which the country sought to avoid involvement in European conflicts and focused on its own domestic affairs.
• The foreign policy of neutral countries during the Cold War, in which countries such as Sweden and Switzerland sought to avoid alignment with either the US or the Soviet Union and to maintain a position of neutrality in international affairs.
• The non-alignment movement during the Cold War, in which a group of countries, including India and Yugoslavia, sought to avoid alignment with either the US or the Soviet Union and to promote a more independent role in international relations.