The growing unpopularity for America providing foreign aid to Ukraine during its conflict with Russia signals a troubling shift towards isolationism. The United States, the world’s most involved superpower, retreating from fighting against an authoritarian sets a dangerous precedent. When nations turn inward, they undermine democratic values and embolden nationalist sentiments. The shift away from international cooperation not only jeopardizes Ukraine’s fight for democracy, but weakens the entire global democratic sphere. 

The Russia-Ukraine War as a whole is prima facie undemocratic. A sovereign democracy being attacked by an authoritarian aggressor under the terms of territorial acquisition is a severe threat to democracy. It began in 2014 when Russia seized the Crimean peninsula and claimed it as part of Russia. The conflict severely escalated in 2022 when Russia issued a full-scale invasion on Ukraine. 

World War I and World War II marked a change in global hierarchy as fighting in Europe made the United States shift from a relatively small power to an actively involved leader. Leading up to this, the United States adhered to the isolationist policies of the Monroe Doctrine and the warning words of George Washington. However, its involvement in both wars, followed by the establishment of supranational organizations like NATO and the UN, solidified its newfound role as a “global police force.” 

The United States continued its involvement through the proxy conflicts of the Korean and Vietnam wars. This extended into the end of the 20th century with military engagements throughout the Middle East. Since WWII, the United States has been a beacon defending democracy and stability all across the world. However, recent shifts in American and global support for foreign aid suggest a return to isolationist tendencies. The United States’ novel hesitation to continue foreign assistance in this conflict specifically goes against its almost century-long history as a democratic enforcer. 

According to Gallup, near the beginning of the conflict in August 2022, American support for reclaiming Ukrainian territory and providing foreign assistance was nearly 70%. However, only two years later, only 48% of Americans still support US support for Ukraine, whereas between 36-41% now believe that the US needs to draw back. A similar poll by Pew found that 27% of Americans think the US is providing too much aid. A report from the Chicago Council on Global Affairs revealed that the American public opinion has turned against further assistance to Ukraine. 

This concerning decline in public support for foreign aid to Ukraine reflects a broader trend towards isolationism. Isolationism fosters exclusive nationalist sentiments and threatens democratic stability. Exclusive nationalist sentiments prioritize a singular national identity over pluralism, often framed in an “us vs. them” narrative. This rhetoric can weaken global democratic support and purposefully challenge accountability checks on rising authoritarian leaders from the international community. Other democratic nations are a form of diagonal accountability as they either indirectly or directly provide pressure against authoritarianism. 

The consequences of such isolationism extend far beyond Ukraine. Withdrawing from international commitments creates conditions where nationalism and authoritarianism flourish, which is why authoritarians root for an isolationist United States. As a recent study shows, exclusive nationalist sentiments can contribute to democratic erosion and the rise of authoritarianism. The absence of democratic enforcers leaves a power vacuum for autocrats to opportunistically exploit. Without a strong international presence, the erosion of democratic norms becomes increasingly difficult to oppose. 

History provides clear examples of the extreme dangers of isolationism. After World War I, the League of Nations was established to maintain global peace, but its failure to engage fully in collective security led to the rise of fascism in Germany and Italy. If the United States had intervened earlier, it could have deterred authoritarian aggression and potentially prevented further conflict. Following World War II, staunch isolationist Senator Vandenberg gave a speech on the Senate floor fighting for US participation in the United Nations and highlighting the important role America plays in stopping foreign aggressors as a road to permanent peace. 

More recent examples show the persistent inability to disengage globally. Following the American withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021, the Taliban regained control in a matter of days, plunging the country into a religious autocracy after 20 years of democratic progress. Pulling away from our role as a defender of democracy can have devastating future effects. One of the most immediate concerns is China’s potential reaction. A lessened stance on Ukraine could signal to China it is acceptable to invade Taiwan, knowing that the United States will not become involved. North Korea might see our isolationism as an opportunity to reclaim the entire Korean Peninsula without pushback. As analysts warn, a failure to support Ukraine could show broader American isolationism, weakening the current international order and encouraging further democratic erosion. 

Isolationism is defended by several counterarguments. First, some argue that each country should manage its own democratic development and that the US does not need to act as a global police force. While it is true that democracy depends on internal accountability, external support has historically played a massive role in preventing authoritarianism. Libya, for instance, demonstrated that European powers could have intervened without the United States, but American involvement minimized casualties and damage. Second, others argue that foreign aid is expensive and not worth the investment. The American investment in Ukraine has several benefits exclusively for the US as 90% of Ukrainian aid creates jobs domestically and the conflict has revitalized shared economic responsibility in NATO. It is also important to emphasize isolationism today will likely lead to far greater costs (financial and otherwise) in the future. Not supporting Ukraine will force the US into a much larger conflict with Russia down the line. 

If the US completely turns its back on its international commitments, it risks enabling authoritarian regimes across the globe to expand unchecked. The retreat from leadership mirrors the mistakes America has made in the past, particularly concerning World War II and allowing fascism to rise in Europe. America has been a key factor in maintaining democratic stability and opposing those who want to hurt it. Turning inward would not only weaken Ukraine’s fighting power, but jeopardize the future of democracy worldwide. 

In an era of democratic decline, the need for strong global alliances supporting democracy is more critical than ever. If democratic nations do not unite in supporting Ukraine, they risk fully eroding the principles that sustain our free world. Only through global solidarity can democracy withstand the threats posed by authoritarian regimes.