Internationalism

From Metapedia

Internationalism is a political movement which advocates a greater economic and political cooperation among nations for the theoretical benefit of all. Internationalism presupposes the recognition of other nations as equal, in spite of all their differences.

One example of a organization supported by internationalists is the United Nations. The United Nations is a international organization that conducts peacekeeping operations and humanitarian aid around the world. Some internationalists want to go a step further by creating a world government. However, this idea is opposed and/or thwarted by other internationalists, who believe any world government body would be inherently too powerful to be trusted. These internationalists are more likely to support a loose world federation in which most power resides with the national governments.

George Washington advised the United States, in his Farewell Address, to remain a neutral player in the international political game. He urged the new republic to avoid conflicts and alliances with other nations. Although he felt that economic ties with other nations should be promoted to encourage trade and commerce, political ties should be minimal. He was concerned that having close relations could force the US to unite with allies to promote their interest and be drawn into their war. Likewise, he was concerned that strongly discordant relations would do the same and that both situations could force the US into conflicts that may not be important to the US. He was concerned that these type of relations would cause passion driven foreign policy rather than policy based upon the nation's interest. Quoting him, "Tis our true policy to steer clear of permanent alliances with any portion of the foreign world...." -(George Washington Farewell Address)[citation needed] However, George Washington was not the only Founding Father of the United States to advise neutrality in foreign affairs. Thomas Jefferson, quoting him, stated "I deem [one of] the essential principles of our government [to be] peace, commerce, and honest friendship with all nations, entangling alliances with none..." "Commerce with all nations, alliance with none, should be our motto." -(Thomas Jefferson 1801 former quote 1799 latter).