Internationalism Explained in Detail

PROLOGUE

As an ideology, internationalism emerged in 20^th century. It was the result of devastating situations like Word Wars ravaged international economy. In this article we will know about internationalism principles, meaning, definition, and different ideologies contradict with internationalism.

What is internationalism?

As the name identifies, International means between nations (Nation State) and Ism means ideology.

Internationalism is an ideology that promotes more interactions among states. The more political and economic relations a state has with other states, the more international it is. 

Most of the internationalism concepts are borrowed from other schools of thought but it has its own doctrine and belief systems. 

The reverse of internationalism is isolationism. 

The United States of America before 1914 was the best example of an isolationist country on the world map.

In World War 1, the US said goodbye to isolationism and became an internationalist country. 

It promotes international cooperation among nations. Wars and conflicts are not counted as interactions among states but count as confrontations only. 

In Internationalism Political and Economic cooperation is a baseline where it just begins.

Internationalism definition

So, you have now gotten the idea of what is internationalism. now let's define it in a clear-cut way.

A principle that espouses enhanced cooperation among states in political, economic, and cultural spheres.  

In other words,

The idea of sharing culture, advocating principles that promote cooperation, building institutions like IOs, providing opportunities to world trade, and supporting human justice and rights across the globe is called internationalism. 

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How does internationalism differ from isolationism?

• Isolationist nation-states do not indulge in the global political atmosphere while internationalists enjoy the global political atmosphere.
• Isolationist believes in the protection of their national interest within their own resources. On the other hand, internationalism relies on cooperation and exchanges of resources for mutual interest.
• There is no joining of alliances, organizations, and conferences in isolation. while the other tends to promote alliances, IOs, Institutions etc.
• Internationalists are democratic while isolationists are non democratic.

Liberal Internationalism

Focus of liberal internationalism is progress globally that is only possible via increased level of uniform cooperation among political entities.

Liberal emphasize on reform in the international system in a such a way that benefit individual freedom, reduce violence, promote diplomacy and state level negotiation, and modifies the anarchic structure of the global community.

Liberalism contrast with realism which focuses on power maximization and self interest orientated.

Internationalism ww2

The principle of collective security, peace, and prosperity was the main goals of internationalism during World War 2.

Internationalism played significant role during the war in shaping alliances, recreating world order, and establishment of international organization i.e. UNO.

Cooperation among allied power to defeat axis power was ultimately due this ideology.

Key events during World War 2 were Allied cooperation, Atlantic Charter 1941, Formation of United Nations, Bretton Woods Conference 1944, Formation of NATO, and Marshall Plan.

Why was internationalism a threat to the fascist agenda?

Internationalism is clear threat to fascist regime because

• It contradicts to Nationalism
• Undermine Authoritarian Control
• Provide opposition to militarism and Expansionism
• Promote Human rights and equality
• Increases Social and economic interactions

Fascism and internationalism are two watermelons that is not handle in one armpit.

Closing words

Internationalism, a dominant ideology during the two world wars, is advocating global peace and freedom. Unlike realism, it focuses on human rights. Fascism completely disagrees with this ideology. Nationalism and protectionism has no space for internationalism.

Internationalism encouraging countries for cooperative and peaceful world rather than being isolationist.