Discuss the below:
THE QUADRA-SOUL of AMERICA'S 21st CENTURY DILLEMA
Isolationism (anti-globalism), Nativism, Diversity, Immigration
(KEY POINTS/CONCEPTS)
ISOLATIONALISM
The concept or attitude of isolationism is a strong paradox in a country that prides itself on being "the leader of the free world".
In this 21st century in America isolationism is not an official public policy. However, many people perceive and experience an attitude of "anti-globalism" in the hearts of Americans. This attitude is legitimately construed to mean the same as "isolationism." Richard Nixon, a former U.S. president remarked in an interview in 1985 that although the country's policy is not one of isolationism, the American people's attitude is still isolationist.
The attitude that "what happens over there should not concern us over here" is still prevalent in the hearts of many Americans who firmly believe that America's perspective on the world is so different from that of Europe, Asia and other societies that we should not be so involved in their affairs. This is especially prevalent in the hearts of those who believe that it is totally inappropriate for America to be involved in wars in other parts of the world. Many believe that America can advance the cause of freedom and democracy by means other than war.
American isolationism never meant disengagement from the world stage. This would have certainly been inconsistent with policies, which were used to justify advancing America's territorial, ideological and economic interests in other parts of the world. Indeed, America expanded its involvement and interests in a global economic/industrial presence in Asia as well as South America. It did so by avoiding entangling alliances with other countries. Although America entered World War One with the view that we needed to be involved to "make the world safe for democracy" we refused to join the League of Nations and ratify the Treaty of Versailles.
The spirit of George Washington's Farewell Address lingered long in the hearts of many Americans. "The great rule of conduct for us, in regard to foreign nations, is in extending our commercial relations, to have with them as little political connection as possible. Europe has a set of primary interests, which to us have none, or a very remote relation. Hence she must be engaged in frequent controversies the causes of which are essentially foreign to our concerns. Hence, therefore, it must be unwise in us to implicate ourselves, by artificial ties, in the ordinary vicissitudes of her politics, or the ordinary combinations and collisions of her friendships or enmities."
This perspective lingered long in the hearts of Americans and was reflected in America's political isolation from the rest of the world although it became intimately and inextricably involved in commercial entanglements. Although America claimed that it did not violate its creed by colonizing or controlling the governments of other countries it was a dominant player in their economic affairs. This led some observers to ask the question: "Who owns a country- he who owns the government or he who owns the economy".
Although economic involvement was heavy for the purpose of promoting U.S. industrial interests abroad political isolation persisted into the 20th century. During the 1920s America isolated itself as it protected and shielded American manufacturers by imposing tariffs on foreign goods. It also restricted immigration into the country by imposing quotas. By 1929 only 150,000 immigrants per year were allowed.
During the 1920s and 1930s many Americans remained opposed to enmeshment in Europe's alliances and wars.
On an early Sunday morning, December 7, 1941, America was forced to join the world as the empire of Japan attacked in Pearl Harbor. " A day that will live in infamy" so declared President Roosevelt, also World War II, American leadership in creating the United Nations and the "cold war" rivalry that followed and preoccupied the countries policies traditional American isolationism.