To avoid entangling alliances has been a maxim of our policy ever since the days of Washington, and its wisdom no one will attempt to dispute.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Avoiding entangling alliances is cited as a longstanding and undisputed policy maxim since Washington.
- In plain terms
- Staying out of foreign alliances has been our policy since Washington and everyone agrees it is wise.
- What can you take from it?
- Foreign policy should prioritize independence over binding international commitments.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Is neutrality always possible in a connected world?
- When does an alliance become necessary?
Another view
Modern global interdependence may make isolationist policies impractical.
More from James Buchanan
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