Donald Trump ISOLATIONISM and US hegemony

Though there is divided opinion and evidence on whether the United States is still the

most powerful hegemony in the world today, the Americans position have been dealt

several blows by Chinas economic growth with signs of stagnation in US economy and

global terrorism. The seeming waning of American power was a key defining campaign

issue and was shrewdly exploited by Donald Trump seeing him emerge as the winner in

the November 2016 US General Election. The Trump campaign and the subsequent

administration formation have been shaped around the isolationism. This has been

characterised by slogans such as Make American Great Again and America First.

This evaluation examines how the Trump administration is used isolationist policies to

regain and consolidate its hegemonic global powers.

Americas foreign and domestic policies have assumed an unprecedented prominence in

the affairs of other nations and regions as they seek to accommodate, and where possible

benefit from, the evolution of American hegemony since it assumed a superpower role

after the Second World War. The US hegemonic powers were asserted after the end of the

Cold War and eventual fall of the Soviet. The Trump administration promises and is

acting towards isolationism as evidenced in three key areas. First its economic policies

are being geared towards strengthening internal dynamics of the economy through

several approaches. The second relates to the US military strengthening and limited

interventions outside the US. The third key pointer towards Trumps leadership

isolationist policy relate to immigration and border issues. The Trump administration has

taken proactive steps to check on the flow of immigrants into the US.
Stephen Burman (2008). Necklace or noose? Challenges to American hegemony.

Foresight, 10 (4): 69-75

Mills, Daniel Quinn, and Steven Rosefielde (2016). The Trump Phenomenon and the

Future of US Foreign Policy. World Scientific.