A
doctrine that states that a
nation should hold itself
separate and
aloof from other nations.
Isolationists believe that it is
wrong for their nations to become involved in
international trade agreements and
mutual assistance pacts, to give
financial,
humanitarian, or
military aid to other nations, or to
participate in
military operations or
wars in other nations.
In the
United States,
isolationists said
America shouldn't get
involved in
World War II (they were
wrong) and in
Vietnam (they were probably
right). They
oppose spending
money to aid
foreign governments, saying that
American needs should be taken care of first. Many isolationists want the United States to
resign from the
United Nations, either because it is a
distraction from
domestic issues or because the
organization is run by
foreign devils.