Isolationism has long been seen as a reaction against domestic economic conditions or a threatening international environment, but domestic politics could equally spur such a reaction. Disagreement with current foreign policy or opposition to political parties directing foreign policy may...

In the United States, the period between Thanksgiving and Christmas has long seen the most intense consumer sales and hence the most active economy. This period varies in length depending on the date of Thanksgiving. Years where it is longer see detectably larger seasonal increases in national...