President Donald Trump is an isolationist.
Normally, that would appeal to classical liberals and libertarians — but there’s a difference between our dreams and reality.
No, Trump the Isolationist is a reckless danger to the United States and to our allies.
Ask the Kurds. Trump’s isolationist impulse opened the way to ethnic cleansing of the Kurds.
Foreign policy presents a conundrum for classical liberalism and libertarianism. We don’t want to be involved in foreign entanglements, a generally good policy promoted by George Washington, but one nearly impossible for powerful nations. In my ideal world, the United States could ignore most conflicts. That’s not the “real world” in which we exist.
There are bad national actors and they not only will get involved, they will also stoke conflict when it suits their interests.
Presidents inherit where we are, not where that particular president might want the United States’ armed forces. Existing treaties and partnerships must be honored. Trade agreements are in place. Our membership in the United Nations, World Trade Organization, NATO, and other bodies cannot be waved away.
I tell my students, “Your honor and reputation are all you have in business.” That’s true in all aspects of life, of course, which is why we dislike negative rumors and misrepresentation of our words. Businesses have reputations, organizations have reputations, and nations have reputations.
Donald Trump is damaging the reputation of the United States.
When a nation doesn’t stand with its allies, then alliances mean nothing. When a nation doesn’t respect its treaties and agreements, those negotiated relationships mean nothing. Our president represents the nation, yet Trump stands for nothing except himself.
The ugly reality is that Russian, China, Iran, North Korea, and other nations with dangerous leaders don’t follow the “live and let live” mantra of libertarians. They don’t embrace sovereignty of the self, much less sovereignty of other nations.
Because there are authoritarian, statist, theocratic, oligarchic, plutocratic, states and organizations, we still need nations with borders and alliances between liberal states and those fighting (at least to some extent) self-determination.
We should be involved in foreign affairs to the least extent possible. Right now, I would argue it is not possible to step aside and allow other global powers the opportunity to expand their influence.
Yet, Trump stepped aside and handed more influence to some of the worst leaders in the world.
Photo by surrealpenguin 
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