At the close of WW2, the US, not wanting to be involved in another world war, decides to enforce borders and police world shipping lanes.
Since then, peace and prosperity have soared worldwide.
Better?
Previous to WW2, where Smedleys issues come from, we did indeed act isolationist except for our sorties to enforce US hedgemony largely over business issues but also security issues. We continue to protect our interests as we see them.
Pete