Is Isolationism Bad for America? A Debate on Globalization, Trade, and Economic Policy | with Professor David Leblang

In this thought-provoking episode of Disagree With A Professor, UVA students Peter McHugh, Lidia Zur Muhlen, and Makayla Castle sit down with Professor David Leblang to tackle one of the most contentious debates in American politics: isolationism versus globalization. Professor Leblang, the Miller Center's Randolph P. Compton Professor and Director of Policy Research, brings decades of expertise in political economy to challenge the growing isolationist sentiment in American politics. His opening statement is bold: "Isolationism leads to political and economic failure." But the conversation quickly moves beyond simple talking points. The hosts push back with real concerns about globalization's losers—the steel workers in Pennsylvania, the communities left behind by outsourcing, and the domestic workers competing with foreign labor. They explore whether America's government has a duty to prioritize domestic winners over international ones, even if it means lower aggregate prosperity. Key Topics Explored: The economic case for and against isolationism Trump's tariff policies and "Liberation Day" Winners and losers in global trade International students and H-1B visas The hidden costs of in-state vs. out-of-state tuition Why UVA relies on international student tuition Automation, AI, and the future of white-collar jobs Whether professors will become obsolete The irreplaceable value of place-based education The conversation takes unexpected turns—from debating whether we should "staple H-1B visas to diplomas" to discussing why coding jobs might disappear faster than construction jobs. Professor Leblang makes a surprising prediction: white-collar and blue-collar workers will soon have more aligned political preferences due to technology, not trade. In a particularly timely segment, they dissect the Trump administration's attempted ban on international students and its practical consequences for universities already struggling with state funding cuts. Leblang reveals how foreign students effectively subsidize in-state tuition—a fact most students don't know. The episode concludes on a surprisingly hopeful note about education's future, with Leblang arguing that while many of his teaching methods may become obsolete, the residential university experience offers something AI can never replicate: human connection, critical discourse, and the humility that comes from engaging with diverse perspectives. This is civil discourse at its best—respectful disagreement, nuanced arguments, and genuine curiosity about complex policy questions that affect all of us. Guest: Professor David Leblang, Miller Center's Randolph P. Compton Professor and Director of Policy Research; Ambassador Henry J. Taylor and Mrs. Marion R. Taylor Endowed Professor of Politics; Professor of Public Policy at UVA's Frank Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy Hosts: Peter McHugh, Lidia Zur Muhlen, Makayla Castle Music: "Dispersion Relation" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License Disagree With a Professor is created by Think Again at the University of Virginia, with production support from Awkward Sage Media. Connect with us: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thinkagain.uva/