Isolationism vs Liberal Internationalism
Isolationism is a foreign policy outlook that seeks to keep a country out of alliances, foreign wars and international commitments so it can focus on its own affairs.
- A nation should avoid permanent alliances with foreign powers.
- Wars abroad cost lives and money and rarely serve the national interest.
- Domestic problems should take priority over foreign commitments.
Liberal internationalism holds that free trade, international law, democratic governments and multilateral institutions can make the world more peaceful and cooperative.
- States can cooperate for mutual benefit rather than only compete for power.
- Free trade creates interdependence that makes war more costly and less likely.
- International law and organizations should regulate relations between states.
- Isolationism: petals and stars
- Liberal Internationalism: dashed outline
★ Where they differ most
- Trade145 points apart
Isolationism: Protected (moderate). Liberal Internationalism: Global (strong).
- Culture115 points apart
Isolationism: National identity (strong). Liberal Internationalism: Multicultural (moderate).
- Foreign policy110 points apart
Isolationism: Strength (moderate). Liberal Internationalism: Cooperation (moderate).
- Morality75 points apart
Isolationism: Traditional (moderate). Liberal Internationalism: Progressive (moderate).
★ Where they are closest
- Markets · 5 apart
- Ownership · 5 apart
- Security · 15 apart
Axis by axis
Liberal Internationalism
Economy
Equality / Markets- OwnershipModerate: Private30%70%PublicPrivate
- MarketsMild: Free35%65%PlannedFree
- WelfareMild: Self-reliant35%65%SharedSelf-reliant
State and liberty
Liberty / Authority- AuthorityMild: Democratic60%40%DemocraticStrong leader
- SecurityMild: Order40%60%LibertyOrder
- StructureMild: Local65%35%LocalCentral
Society
Progress / Tradition- MoralityModerate: Traditional30%70%ProgressiveTraditional
- ReligionMild: Religious35%65%SecularReligious
- TechnologyMild: Caution35%65%EmbraceCaution
- CultureStrong: National identity18%82%MulticulturalNational identity
World
Global / Nation- TradeModerate: Protected20%80%GlobalProtected
- Foreign policyModerate: Strength23%77%CooperationStrength
★ 12 Axes Political Test ★
How close are you to Isolationism or Liberal Internationalism?
Answer plain statements on 12 axes and see your match with Isolationism or Liberal Internationalism and every other profile on the site, axis by axis.
FAQ
Isolationism vs Liberal Internationalism
What is the difference between Isolationism and Liberal Internationalism?
Isolationism is a foreign policy outlook that seeks to keep a country out of alliances, foreign wars and international commitments so it can focus on its own affairs. Liberal internationalism holds that free trade, international law, democratic governments and multilateral institutions can make the world more peaceful and cooperative. On the 12 axes they differ most on trade, culture, foreign policy.
What do Isolationism and Liberal Internationalism have in common?
Their positions are closest on markets, ownership, security. Overall their profiles are a 63% match on the 12 axes used by the 12 Axes Political Test.
Am I closer to Isolationism or Liberal Internationalism?
Take the 12 Axes Political Test. Your result shows your match with both, and with every other ideology on the site, axis by axis.
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