I'll have to re-evaluate your intelligence if you're saying being a protectionist in the 1930s is the same as being one today.
Precisely. When most nations are protectionist, it's very stupid to not be. However, on the Earth today, the more global your national economy, the bigger it can be and the more affiliations, commerce, and business. The bigger your economy and its connections, the more stable it is.
In the 1930s and 1940s, the main reason for free trade was so that allies relied more upon each other. It encouraged one's allies to stay allies and not break ties that would hurt their own economy.
As for economics not being a zero sum game, it is true that there don't have to be losers just because there are winners. However, it is equally true that there don't have to be winners just because there are losers.
