isolationism

[ ahy-suh-ley-shuh-niz-uhm, is-uh- ]

noun

1. the policy or doctrine of isolating one's country from the affairs of other nations by declining to enter into alliances, foreign economic commitments, international agreements, etc., seeking to devote the entire efforts of one's country to its own advancement and remain at peace by avoiding foreign entanglements and responsibilities.

isolationism

/ ˌaɪsəˈleɪʃəˌnɪzəm /

noun

1. a policy of nonparticipation in or withdrawal from international affairs
2. an attitude favouring such a policy

isolationism

1. The doctrine that a nation should stay out of the disputes and affairs of other nations. The United States practiced a policy of isolationism until World War I and did not pursue an active international policy until after World War II . ( See “ entangling alliances with none .”)

Derived Forms

• ˌisoˈlationist, nounadjective

Other Words From

• anti-iso·lation·ism noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of isolationism¹

An Americanism dating back to 1920–25; isolation + -ism

Example Sentences

The event was launched some 20 years ago, with the aim of generating dialogue between writers from around the world to counter isolationism and xenophobia in the United States after the Sept. 11 attacks.

From New York Times

In an epoch that is again tending towards global geopolitical isolationism, it is to be hoped that cultural collaboration will remain an important channel of transnational cooperation.

From Salon

In the early 2000s, Sorokin grew alarmed by the erosion of civil liberties and growing isolationism under Putin, which he saw as a return to the brutality of medieval Russia.

From New York Times

The World Voices Festival was created in 2005 with the aim of fostering dialogue between authors from around the world to counter isolationism and xenophobia in the United States after the Sept. 11 attacks.

From New York Times

“With this ‘Othello,’ we’re addressing wounds: the wounds of racism, hostility towards refugees, xenophobia and the isolationism that you often find in Austria,” Rötzer said.

From New York Times

Related Words

• alienation
• apathy
• callousness
• carelessness
• disdain
• disinterest
• disregard
• inattention
• inertia
• insensitivity
• lack
• negligence
• nonchalance