The philosophy of protectionism is a philosophy of war.

"The philosophy of protectionism is a philosophy of war." These profound words, spoken by the economist Ludwig von Mises, challenge the foundations of the economic practices that many societies cling to in the name of self-preservation and national pride. Mises, a visionary whose insight into economics illuminated the dangers of restrictive trade practices, warns that protectionism—the idea of safeguarding a nation’s industries by imposing barriers on foreign goods—does not merely harm economies but also sows the seeds of conflict. While protectionism may seem like a shield for a nation’s interests, it is, in truth, a double-edged sword—one that leads to economic isolation and, ultimately, to war.

In the ancient world, the rise of city-states and empires often hinged upon access to resources and the control of trade routes. The Athenians fought the Peloponnesian War not just to defend their territory but to maintain control over the riches of the Mediterranean. Similarly, the Romans waged wars of expansion to secure the resources needed to fuel their ever-growing empire. In these ancient conflicts, war was often seen as a means of securing a nation’s wealth and maintaining economic dominance. But at what cost? The wars fought by Athens and Rome left scars not only on the land and the people, but also on the very economies they sought to protect. Mises’ insight reminds us that by focusing on economic isolation—be it in ancient times through military conquest or in modern times through tariffs and trade barriers—nations find themselves caught in a cycle of competition that can only end in destruction. Protectionism, rather than securing prosperity, often fuels conflict.

In the 17th century, the world saw the rise of mercantilism, a form of protectionism where nations sought to amass wealth by limiting imports and encouraging exports. The Spanish Empire, for example, implemented policies that restricted foreign goods from entering its colonies in the Americas, seeking to control trade for its own benefit. While the Spanish Crown may have thought it was securing wealth, it sowed the seeds of resentment among the people of the colonies. The American Revolution, sparked in part by the harsh economic policies of the British Empire, is a prime example of how economic protectionism—in the form of heavy taxation and trade restrictions—led to a broader political conflict. The colonies, feeling economically oppressed by Britain's protectionist policies, fought for their freedom not just from political tyranny but from economic exploitation. Thus, Mises’ warning about protectionism as a form of conflict finds its roots in these very struggles, where the desire for economic control led to war and rebellion.

In the modern era, protectionist policies continue to disrupt global harmony. The Great Depression of the 1930s was exacerbated by protectionist trade policies, such as the Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act in the United States, which raised tariffs on imported goods in an effort to shield American industries from foreign competition. These actions, far from stabilizing the economy, provoked retaliatory tariffs from other nations, leading to a global economic downturn and deepening international tensions. This economic conflict, rooted in protectionism, paved the way for the rise of totalitarian regimes in Europe and Asia, culminating in the outbreak of World War II. The war itself, then, can be seen as the ultimate consequence of protectionist policies that isolated nations and bred resentment, distrust, and a desire to assert dominance through military force.

Mises’ words ring with urgency: protectionism is not just an economic policy, it is a policy that feeds the flames of war. When nations turn inward, when they isolate themselves economically, they close themselves off from the very connections and cooperation that form the basis of lasting peace. Trade, in its truest sense, is not just about exchanging goods—it is about creating bonds between peoples, about building bridges rather than walls. When nations protect themselves at the expense of others, they undermine the principles of mutual respect and peaceful collaboration that are essential to a stable world order. The greater the barriers to trade, the greater the likelihood that nations will turn to force as a means of asserting their interests, just as the ancient empires did before them.

The lesson we must learn from Mises is one of global cooperation over isolation, of openness over closed borders. True prosperity is not built by protecting one’s own industries at the expense of others, but by engaging in open trade and building relationships based on trust and mutual benefit. Economic protectionism may seem like a way to shield a nation from external threats, but in reality, it only creates new divisions and deepens old ones. The world is far too interconnected for any nation to thrive in isolation. Rather than erecting barriers to trade, we must seek to tear them down, fostering global understanding, and creating an environment where mutual prosperity can flourish.

In our own lives, the message of Mises can be applied in a simpler but no less powerful way. We often face moments of division, where it is tempting to shut ourselves off from those with whom we disagree, to build walls around our hearts and minds. But the true path to peace—whether in our relationships, communities, or nations—lies not in protecting ourselves from others, but in opening ourselves to the possibility of understanding and dialogue. Just as the world thrives when nations engage in peaceful trade, so too does humanity thrive when we build bridges of compassion and cooperation, rather than erecting walls of fear and exclusion. Let us choose the path of openness, of shared growth, and mutual respect, ensuring that the future we carve out is not one of conflict, but of shared prosperity and peace.