Scotch N Coke Monatore
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Im not sure that the occasional bouts of US Isolationism are rooted in economics. My reading of history tells me that prior to WWII when the movement was last at its strongest it was one grounded by some who wanting to avoid another bloody European entanglement and others who followed noted anti-semite and sympathiser of all things fascist Charles Lindbergh.
Pearl Harbour put paid to all that. From that point on it was the beginning of the American hegemony and an economic post war boom.
The modern iteration is somewhat influenced by the past 30 years of pointlessly wasteful wars in the Middle East and Afghanistan. However, as is the way of all things on the right of America politically its is less about isolationism as it is getting instep with Donald Trumps preference for countries led by so called strongmen who like to indulge in a bit of totalitarianism. It's no coincidence that he speaks so highly of autocratic dictators like Xie, Putin, Jong-un, Orban and Mohammed bin Salman. All of whom rule with a singular ruthlessness, dismantle its institutions and crush dissent in an instant all the while operating above their countries laws. Sounds aspirationally familiar, eh?
Yet Trump does nothing but criticise and bully his supposed allies. This alone should be enough to disqualify him in my mind, but it seems that a large portion of the US population have daddy issues and desire the firm hand of a strongman. And if the price for that is the end of democracy otherwise known as...project 2025. Or as they themselves like to refer to it the second American revolution. Then they are ok with it as long as its their guy.
I think you make a great point about historical motivations. Current isolationism sentiments I see from voters does seem economically motivated, the USA is laden with ever growing debt. But Trump is not that consistent or articulate enough about that position. Often he sounds gung ho, military might (expensive) as the main diplomatic tool.
I am not quite sure about the extent of Trump's support for the dictators in your 3rd paragraph, although the Trumpster is a great one for telling us all Xi and Putin are rooly smart, very intelligent. However, Trump was truly cringeworthy with his love letters buttering up of Jong Un as a containment strategy . I put the emojis in because I literally wept tears of laughter recalling his public utterances. He was also cringeworthily gushing about the Queen and the RF. And his commenting on Harry and Me-again, similarly cringeworthy and not befitting of a senior US politician. No doubt you could get me chuckling with more of his many moments.
In the debate, I did not like what he said about the Palestinian Isreal conflict. It is hard to listen to a senior western politician advocating more violence.
Finally his superman day one he will stop or fix so many complex issues, usually sounds not just implausible but risible. We should all play a drinking game with his next debate appearance, if there is one.
Anyway, I am on a phone, it is a bit limiting with chatting