====== gūlì zhǔyì: 孤立主义 - Isolationism ======
===== Quick Summary =====
  * **Keywords:** gūlì zhǔyì, 孤立主义, Isolationism, Chinese foreign policy, protectionism in China, closed-door policy, 闭关锁国, US-China relations, globalism vs isolationism, Chinese political terms.
  * **Summary:** Learn the meaning and modern usage of **孤立主义 (gūlì zhǔyì)**, the Chinese term for **Isolationism**. This guide breaks down the characters 孤, 立, 主, and 义, explores China's historical "closed-door" policies (闭关锁国), and contrasts it with the modern era of Globalization (全球化). Discover how this term is used in political and economic discussions today through practical example sentences, making it a crucial concept for understanding China's worldview and foreign policy.
===== Core Meaning =====
  * **Pinyin (with tone marks):** gūlì zhǔyì
  * **Part of Speech:** Noun
  * **HSK Level:** N/A (Advanced/Specialized)
  * **Concise Definition:** A national policy of avoiding political or economic entanglements with other countries.
  * **In a Nutshell:** **孤立主义 (gūlì zhǔyì)** is the direct Chinese translation for the political concept of "isolationism." It refers to a country's deliberate choice to stay out of international affairs. In modern China, it's almost always used with a negative connotation, seen as a backward-looking policy that leads to stagnation and weakness, directly contradicting the country's successful "Reform and Opening-Up" policy.
===== Character Breakdown =====
  * **孤 (gū):** Alone, solitary, orphan. This character suggests a state of being single or on one's own, often with a sense of loneliness or lack of support.
  * **立 (lì):** To stand, to establish. This character depicts a person standing firmly on the ground, implying stability and independence.
  * **主 (zhǔ):** Main, master, principle. It points to a core idea or a central tenet.
  * **义 (yì):** Meaning, principle, justice. When combined with 主 (zhǔ), it forms 主义 (zhǔyì), the standard suffix for "-ism" in Chinese (e.g., socialism, capitalism).
The characters combine quite literally: 孤立 (gūlì) means "to stand alone" or "to be isolated." Adding the "-ism" suffix 主义 (zhǔyì) creates "the principle of standing alone"—or, Isolationism.
===== Cultural Context and Significance =====
Historically, China has experienced long periods of what could be described as **孤立主义**. The most famous example is the **闭关锁国 (bìguān suǒguó)**—"closing the gates and locking the country"—policy of the late Ming and Qing dynasties. This policy severely restricted foreign trade and interaction, born from a desire to maintain internal stability and cultural purity. However, this isolation is now widely seen as a primary cause of China's decline in the 19th century, leaving it vulnerable to foreign powers during the "Century of Humiliation."
This historical trauma deeply shapes the modern Chinese perspective. While American isolationism is often debated as a strategic choice to avoid "foreign entanglements" (a concept dating back to George Washington), Chinese **孤立主义** is almost universally viewed as a recipe for disaster. It is the antithesis of the **改革开放 (gǎigé kāifàng)** or "Reform and Opening-Up" policy, which is credited with China's modern economic miracle. Therefore, accusing a policy or country of **孤立主义** in a Chinese context is a strong criticism, implying it is regressive, self-defeating, and ignorant of the lessons of history.
===== Practical Usage in Modern China =====
**孤立主义** is a formal term primarily used in specific, high-level contexts. You will rarely hear it in casual daily conversation.
  * **Political and News Commentary:** This is its most common habitat. It's used in news articles, academic papers, and political talk shows to critique the foreign policy of other nations (especially the U.S.) or to warn against protectionist tendencies within the global economy.
  * **Historical Discussions:** When discussing periods like the Qing Dynasty, the term is used to describe the official state policy of that era.
  * **Economic Debates:** It is often used interchangeably with or alongside **贸易保护主义 (màoyì bǎohù zhǔyì)**—trade protectionism—to criticize tariffs and other barriers to free trade.
The connotation is overwhelmingly negative. It suggests a policy that is doomed to fail in an interconnected, globalized world. There is no positive or neutral spin on this term in mainstream modern Chinese discourse.
===== Example Sentences =====
  * **Example 1:**
    * 历史证明，**孤立主义**只会导致一个国家的衰落。
    * Pinyin: Lìshǐ zhèngmíng, **gūlì zhǔyì** zhǐ huì dǎozhì yī ge guójiā de shuāiluò.
    * English: History proves that isolationism will only lead to a nation's decline.
    * Analysis: A very common and powerful statement in Chinese media, reflecting the lessons learned from the Qing dynasty.
  * **Example 2:**
    * 在全球化的今天，任何形式的**孤立主义**都是行不通的。
    * Pinyin: Zài quánqiúhuà de jīntiān, rènhé xíngshì de **gūlì zhǔyì** dōu shì xíngbutōng de.
    * English: In today's globalized world, any form of isolationism is unworkable.
    * Analysis: This sentence frames isolationism as being incompatible with the modern era. 行不通 (xíngbutōng) is a strong way to say something is "not feasible" or "won't work."
  * **Example 3:**
    * 媒体批评该国的新政策是危险的**孤立主义**。
    * Pinyin: Méitǐ pīpíng gāi guó de xīn zhèngcè shì wēixiǎn de **gūlì zhǔyì**.
    * English: The media criticized the country's new policy as dangerous isolationism.
    * Analysis: Demonstrates how the term is used in political commentary to label and critique a policy.
  * **Example 4:**
    * 贸易保护主义是经济**孤立主义**的一种表现。
    * Pinyin: Màoyì bǎohù zhǔyì shì jīngjì **gūlì zhǔyì** de yī zhǒng biǎoxiàn.
    * English: Trade protectionism is a manifestation of economic isolationism.
    * Analysis: This sentence connects the general political concept to a more specific economic one.
  * **Example 5:**
    * 他警告说，退出国际组织是走向**孤立主义**的第一步。
    * Pinyin: Tā jǐnggào shuō, tuìchū guójì zǔzhī shì zǒuxiàng **gūlì zhǔyì** de dì yī bù.
    * English: He warned that withdrawing from international organizations is the first step towards isolationism.
    * Analysis: 走向 (zǒuxiàng) means "to walk towards" or "to head for," indicating a trend or direction.
  * **Example 6:**
    * 清朝末期的闭关锁国政策是典型的**孤立主义**。
    * Pinyin: Qīngcháo mòqī de bìguān suǒguó zhèngcè shì diǎnxíng de **gūlì zhǔyì**.
    * English: The late Qing Dynasty's "closed-door" policy was a typical example of isolationism.
    * Analysis: Directly links the abstract term **孤立主义** to the specific historical policy of 闭关锁国 (bìguān suǒguó).
  * **Example 7:**
    * 我们必须反对**孤立主义**，积极参与全球治理。
    * Pinyin: Wǒmen bìxū fǎnduì **gūlì zhǔyì**, jījí cānyù quánqiú zhìlǐ.
    * English: We must oppose isolationism and actively participate in global governance.
    * Analysis: A sentence structured like an official policy statement, using strong verbs like 必须反对 (bìxū fǎnduì - must oppose) and 积极参与 (jījí cānyù - actively participate).
  * **Example 8:**
    * **孤立主义**思想在某些政治派别中再次抬头。
    * Pinyin: **Gūlì zhǔyì** sīxiǎng zài mǒuxiē zhèngzhì pàibié zhōng zàicì táitóu.
    * English: Isolationist ideas are re-emerging among certain political factions.
    * Analysis: 再次抬头 (zàicì táitóu), literally "to raise its head again," is a common expression for the resurgence of an idea or trend, often a negative one.
  * **Example 9:**
    * 这种“各扫门前雪”的态度，无异于一种文化上的**孤立主义**。
    * Pinyin: Zhè zhǒng “gè sǎo mén qián xuě” de tàidù, wú yì yú yī zhǒng wénhuà shàng de **gūlì zhǔyì**.
    * English: This attitude of "each sweeping the snow from their own doorstep" is tantamount to a kind of cultural isolationism.
    * Analysis: This uses the term metaphorically. "各扫门前雪 (gè sǎo mén qián xuě)" is a famous proverb meaning "mind your own business." The sentence applies a political term to describe a cultural or social attitude.
  * **Example 10:**
    * 专家认为，单边主义最终会导致自我**孤立主义**。
    * Pinyin: Zhuānjiā rènwéi, dānbiān zhǔyì zuìzhōng huì dǎozhì zìwǒ **gūlì zhǔyì**.
    * English: Experts believe that unilateralism will ultimately lead to self-isolationism.
    * Analysis: This connects **孤立主义** to another key political science term, 单边主义 (dānbiān zhǔyì), or unilateralism, showing their perceived relationship.
===== Nuances and Common Mistakes =====
  * **Don't confuse the policy with personal feelings:** A common mistake for learners is to confuse **孤立主义 (gūlì zhǔyì)** with being personally isolated or lonely.
    * **孤立主义 (gūlì zhǔyì):** A macro-level political/economic policy (Isolationism).
    * **孤立 (gūlì):** (verb/adj) To be isolated, to isolate someone. //Ex: 他在班里被**孤立**了。(Tā zài bān li bèi gūlì le.) - He was isolated by his classmates.//
    * **孤独 (gūdú):** (adj) Lonely, solitary. This describes a personal, emotional feeling. //Ex: 他感到很**孤独**。(Tā gǎndào hěn gūdú.) - He feels very lonely.//
    * **Incorrect Usage:** ~~我的邻居很孤立主义，他从来不跟我们说话。~~ (My neighbor is very isolationist, he never talks to us.)
    * **Correct Usage:** 我的邻居很孤僻，他从来不跟我们说话。(My neighbor is very unsociable/reclusive, he never talks to us.) Use a word like 孤僻 (gūpì) for a person.
  * **Historical Connotation:** Remember that while "isolationism" is a direct translation, the term carries heavy historical baggage in China. It is not a neutral policy option to be debated; it is a historical mistake to be avoided at all costs. Mentioning it in a positive light would be highly unusual and contrary to mainstream Chinese thought.
===== Related Terms and Concepts =====
  * [[闭关锁国]] (bìguān suǒguó) - A famous four-character idiom meaning "to close the gates and lock the country." It's the historical and more vivid term for China's past isolationist policies.
  * [[全球化]] (quánqiúhuà) - Globalization. The direct antonym of **孤立主义**.
  * [[保护主义]] (bǎohù zhǔyì) - Protectionism. A specific form of economic isolationism focused on trade barriers.
  * [[单边主义]] (dānbiān zhǔyì) - Unilateralism. The policy of acting alone without the agreement of other countries, often seen as a step towards isolationism.
  * [[不干涉]] (bù gānshè) - Non-interference. A core principle of Chinese foreign policy. While it involves staying out of other countries' internal affairs, it's distinct from isolationism, as it coexists with active global trade and diplomacy.
  * [[改革开放]] (gǎigé kāifàng) - "Reform and Opening-Up." The landmark policy that ended China's Mao-era isolation and integrated it into the global economy. It is the ideological opposite of **孤立主义**.
  * [[民族主义]] (mínzú zhǔyì) - Nationalism. Can be a powerful ideological driver for isolationist policies.
  * [[孤立]] (gūlì) - Isolated; to isolate. The root word of **孤立主义**, used for situations, groups, or individuals being cut off from others.