Whenever I hear those arguments, I have to bring up a point:
There is a very good reason why big, powerful empires always have a big military, meddle and stick their noses into everyone's affairs.
Economic power doesn't come from thin air. It has a lot to do with political power, influence and domination.
Those are two sides of the same coin, they support and nurture each other.
You reach limits of growth when you just trade and build up your own economy.
Almost all foreign policy is dedicated to furthering self-serving goals. Often medium and long term, so not apparently visible. Often related to things the public know very little about. Just as often, completely misguided.
But there's always a reason.
There is a very good reason why big, powerful empires always have a big military, meddle and stick their noses into everyone's affairs.
Economic power doesn't come from thin air. It has a lot to do with political power, influence and domination.
Those are two sides of the same coin, they support and nurture each other.
You reach limits of growth when you just trade and build up your own economy.
Almost all foreign policy is dedicated to furthering self-serving goals. Often medium and long term, so not apparently visible. Often related to things the public know very little about. Just as often, completely misguided.
But there's always a reason.