Political Science

Isolationism is defined in the dictionary as a  national policy of avoiding political or economic entanglements with other countries    

The main advantage of isolationism is that the country following this principle does not get involved with the problems of other nations that may be too difficult to handle and  later on to free itself from.

One popular example of a country that is criticized for meddling with internal affairs of other countries is the United States.  It has been criticized for its involvement in the Vietnam war , the crisis in Iraq and internal problems of  developing countries.  If a country isolates itself from foreign problems, it is spared from  criticisms and protests resulting from such involvement.  Also,  isolationism allows government money to be spent for the benefit of its own citizenry rather than being spent outside to help other countries. However, isolationism deprives  people active participation and interaction within  the global community, thereby limiting its growth and advancement as a nation. Isolationism is opposed to the idea that  we all have  to co-exist in this planet.  Rich and poor countries are dependent on each other for survival. Ms. Louise Frechette, the UN Deputy Secretary General commented that  Either we help the poor and developing countries today, out of a sense of moral obligation and enlightened self-interest, or we will find ourselves compelled to do so tomorrow, when their problems become our problems.

The outpouring of foreign aid, both in terms of moral and financial to Haiti which was recently ravaged by a strong earthquake demonstrates that people do not want  isolationism to prevail.  If there is one positive thing that comes out of tragedies of this magnitude is that we see man s concern for his fellowmen.  Indeed it is true that no man is an island and we do need one another.