I recently answered a question on Quora “Why Can’t You be a Globalist and a Conservative at the Same Time?” It is reflective of the dualistic thinking in US politics so prevalent today. The answer is quite simple. You can. Choosing one or the ofter is a false dilemma.

Conservatism is not necessarily associated with extreme nationalism nor is it against global military and trade alliances or actively participating in the UN. The anti-globalist sentiment among many conservatives is a fairly recent phenomenon. It is primarily based upon fears about the economy and fears about national security, and in some cases that includes an inordinate fear of terrorism leading to xenophobia.

Traditionally, conservatives and liberals supported global military and trade alliances. The US was a founding member of the UN to promote such cooperation. After WWII and especially after the end of the Cold War, global trade has decreased tensions among nations as they have become more interdependent, thereby lessening the chance of war. Average deaths due to war have been lower over the last three decades then at any point since World War II.

NATO has been an unquestionable success, as ten Eastern European nations that were formerly under the influence of the Soviet Union are now members of NATO and the EU. The role of NATO has changed and will continue to change, but it is still relevant.

Global trade alliances, scoffed at recently by the new breed of anti-globalist conservatives, are both necessary and beneficial. From an economic perspective, many people are anti-globalist because they feel it has cost of the United States jobs. It has in some cases in regard to manufacturing, but it has not adversely affected the US economy in the long run. It is false that the US manufacturing output is lower than ever, as manufacturing per capita has been steadily growing, fueled by automation. Automation is the reason that many jobs have been lost, not simply companies moving overseas. Also, less expensive goods demanded by US consumers are readily available, and would not be without imports, fueling retail and online sales growth and requiring transportation and warehousing. Much of the technology developed to produce those goods was done in the United States. A balance is needed, and that balance comes through global alliances with much less danger and pain to the economy than it does through trade wars. If the US does not participate in these global alliances you can bet China will, and that could be devastating to the US in the global marketplace.

Anti-globalist sentiments have developed among some liberals also, though not for the same reasons and not on the same scale as it has among conservatives. Both conservatives and liberals must think for themselves and examine the history and economics of globalism before they retreat into a shell of nationalistic sentiment that can offer neither security nor prosperity.