The Need to Avoid Isolationism in a Digital Age

The evolution of how the world has been viewed has evolved over history. The infusion of terrorism, climate change, pandemic diseases, and political uncertainty has created vast global threats. Many people hypothesize why these problems and threats have arisen whether it’s because people are too connected, not connected enough, or connected in the wrong ways. Anne-Marie Slaughter sees this new reality to be similar to that of a chessboard. Foreign-policy makers act as the chess players creating a framework of networked states and a world of web actors. I agree with her philosophy that there needs to be a managed grand strategy aimed at pursuing the interests of sovereign interests and values; however, I do not agree that this strategy rests solely with the U.S. president.

Anne-Marie urges the use of a three pillar system where open societies, governments, and international systems reside. Her rationale on is that the digital age has pushed beyond the initial limits of capitalism and communism into the understanding of whether there are open or closed lines. Alec Ross furthers the argument stating that “the societies that embrace openness will be those that compete and succeed most effectively." His take on a society’s ability to understand logic in these networks resonates in parallel with my thoughts on the digital age.

Joshua Ramo, author of The Seventh Sense, argues that this new age of constant connection is dangerous for the United States. I disagree with his interruption of dangerous. His construct focuses on the United States creating both a physical and virtual fortress into which all cyber-information and scientific research will be “protected”. These types of barriers reduce a nation’s ability to participate in an foreign policy and creates domestic isolationism. Our leaders will be focusing on what is best for our nation’s interests and limit their involvement within international affairs. Although some may argue this will limit our involvement in undesirable conflicts; it will also remove our voice within trade agreements or mutual assistance pacts.

The United States tends to have an isolationist history according to some historians. Robert Art, author of A Grand Strategy for America, argues that the United States has followed a unilateralism approach to policy creation. Recently, our current President has been focused on this approach to eliminate our economic commitments, international agreements, and focus on making the economy self-reliant. The digital age has forced this thinking to be difficult to fulfill. I argue that one country’s efforts to only further their own advancements, both diplomatically and economically, will not create long-term prosperity and invite foreign entanglements.

In conclusion, their needs to be an open global order that recognizes both state and the human sphere. People and the need to constantly evolve must come first. Technology is fueling the transformation of our social and economic order within nations. Governments much use this power, without borders or walls, to create open societies. It is a risky proposition; but, we must be a society that is open to allow humankind to harness their power. States are made up of businesses, universities, and organizations that should have the right to choose their own domestic structure. The digital age will only continue to help move this shift forward at a more rapid pace. Foreign-policy makers must stay current and ahead of the curve to keep moving our society forward.

#democracy #politics