Pat Buchanan in The Economist


On Budget & Economy: Interventionist in US economy; isolationist abroad

Buchanan wants the government to intervene in the economy to save American jobs. He heaps scorn on free trade and foreigners alike. He wants to withdraw American troops from more or less everywhere. And if the Chinese do not do what he wants, they will have sold "their last pair of chopsticks in the US." Buchanan embodies a reactionary conservatism which thinks that "America First" can be achieved by shoving everyone else to the back.
Source: The Economist, p. 34 Sep 18, 1999

On Foreign Policy: Practice "masterly inactivity," not "entangling alliances"

America did very well in the 1800s, Buchanan argues in his book, because it avoided "entangling alliances," wasting neither men nor treasure on foreign wars. It should not have fought Germany in 1917 ("no vital interest"), nor in the 1940s ("no threat"). If it wishes to remain the world's pre-eminent power in the 21st century, it must give wide berth to the Kosovos, Somalias, and East Timors that constantly cry for attention. "Masterly inactivity" is the role Buchanan prefers for his country.
Source: The Economist, p. 31 Oct 2, 1999

On Free Trade: Reduce dependence on trade; support Monroe Doctrine

For Americans, Buchanan's book says, only America should matter. Buchanan rages against the UN, the WTO, and a previously unknown animal, "the managerial elites of the New World Order." Allies in South-East Asia and Europe must do their own fighting, and America must cut down its dependence on trade. The single pillar of American foreign policy should be the Monroe Doctrine; the country's priorities are to guard against "hostile bastions in this hemisphere" and to try yo keep immigrants out.
Source: The Economist, p. 31 Oct 2, 1999

The above quotations are from Columns and news articles in The Economist magazine.
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