Interventionism

Definition

Interventionism is the policy or practice of a government, institution, or individual intervening in the affairs of another, often to achieve a specific political, economic, or social objective. It involves active involvement and influence in the internal matters of a sovereign state or organization.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Interventionism can take many forms, including economic sanctions, military intervention, diplomatic pressure, and covert operations.
2. The United States has a long history of interventionism, often justifying it as promoting democracy, human rights, or national security interests.
3. The debate over interventionism vs. isolationism has been a recurring theme in American foreign policy, with different administrations taking different approaches.
4. Interventionism has been a key aspect of U.S. foreign policy during periods of global conflict, such as the World Wars and the Cold War.
5. The Clinton administration's approach to foreign policy in the 1990s, known as 'assertive multilateralism,' involved a greater willingness to intervene in global affairs.

Review Questions

• Explain how the concept of interventionism was reflected in American isolationism and the European origins of World War I.
  • In the early 20th century, the United States largely followed a policy of isolationism, avoiding direct involvement in the affairs of European nations. However, the outbreak of World War I challenged this approach, as the U.S. faced pressure to intervene in the conflict. Ultimately, the U.S. did enter the war in 1917, marking a shift away from isolationism towards a more interventionist foreign policy. This decision was influenced by a desire to shape the post-war order and protect American interests, foreshadowing the country's growing willingness to intervene in global affairs in the 20th century.
• Describe how the Clinton administration's approach to foreign policy, known as 'assertive multilateralism,' represented a form of interventionism.
  • The Clinton administration's 'assertive multilateralism' approach to foreign policy in the 1990s involved a greater willingness to intervene in global affairs, often through multilateral institutions and partnerships. This represented a shift away from the more isolationist tendencies of the post-Cold War era. The Clinton administration used economic sanctions, diplomatic pressure, and even military force to address issues such as human rights abuses, regional conflicts, and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. While maintaining some aspects of multilateralism, this approach demonstrated a more proactive and interventionist stance in American foreign policy compared to previous administrations.
• Analyze how the concept of interventionism has evolved in American foreign policy, from the isolationism of the early 20th century to the more assertive interventionism of the Clinton administration and beyond.
  • The United States' approach to interventionism has undergone significant changes throughout the 20th century. In the early 1900s, the U.S. largely followed a policy of isolationism, avoiding direct involvement in the affairs of other nations. However, the outbreak of World War I and the country's subsequent entry into the conflict marked a shift towards a more interventionist foreign policy. This trend continued in the post-World War II era, as the U.S. took on a more active role in global affairs, often justifying intervention as a means of promoting democracy, human rights, and national security interests. The Clinton administration's 'assertive multilateralism' in the 1990s represented a further evolution of American interventionism, with the U.S. actively engaging in global issues through a combination of economic, diplomatic, and military means. This more proactive and interventionist approach has continued to shape U.S. foreign policy in the 21st century, reflecting the country's growing influence and willingness to shape the international order.

Related terms

Isolationism:

A policy of remaining apart from the affairs or interests of other groups, especially the political affairs of other countries.

Unilateralism: The practice of making decisions and taking actions alone without the agreement or participation of others.

Multilateralism: The practice of coordinating policies among multiple countries or international organizations to address issues of mutual concern.