An isolationist foreign policy differs from autarky. An isolationist state can trade, defend itself, and maintain powerful armed forces while refusing alliances, expeditions, and security commitments beyond its borders. Autarky instead means trying to become economically self-sufficient. The distinction matters because a counterfactual United States can remain connected to commerce while declining to police or organise the wider international system.
Notable Point · 3:05:08-3:06:08
Why isolationism is different from autarky
A state can trade and remain well armed while avoiding alliances and overseas commitments; complete economic self-sufficiency is a different policy.