Cold War

Concordia University, 2021

Containment policy has been the dominant grand strategy of the United States throughout the second half of the twentieth century. This dissertation answers the following question: What variation is likely given different structural alliance configurations and domestic constraints? This dissertation will test the relationship between the cause, e.g. alliance cohesion (and domestic structures as the intervening variable) and resulting effect, type containment (proto-, containment, rollback) implemented by US. Through case study methodology and primary source textual analysis, I will test this argument against the Cold War historical record. This dissertation finds that the dependent variable of foreign policy, specifically the typology of containment is largely determined by the independent variable, alliance cohesion (e.g. whether the alliance partners are balancing or intra-alliance bargaining with the alliance leader, or if the state fears the leader will not fulfill its defensive commitments). This relationship, with the inclusion of executive autonomy or constraint in domestic structures (IVV) is largely responsible for the foreign policy output by the United States in all but one of the case studies used to test this dissertation’s argument. The deviating case study demonstrates that the Carter Administration’s neglecting the alliance cohesion – containment policy axis led to, in effect, being selected out of American leadership and the Ronald Reagan reset with alliance politics and containment foreign policy at the forefront of the Administration’s foreign relations. The discussion of containment strategies is a critical contemporary issue given the recent rise of the People’s Republic of China threatening to surpass the United States as the most powerful state in the international system, likely with hegemonic ambitions. Given that containment is a foreign policy short of war, makes this a strategy worth considering when confronting the reality of a rising nuclear revisionist power. At the time of this writing, there is no model that lays out the theoretical conditions which decision-makers will implement a policy of containment. This dissertation builds this theory. In demonstrating containment as a grand strategy that resides within a theoretical framework of a security policy short of war will open up possible foreign policy alternatives for states to consider.

2014

Following the logic of earlier scholarly debates on which side is to be blamed for the Cold War it appears that in fact both or neither: it was the inevitable consequence of the fact that two superpowers emerged after the conflagration of WWII. The ideology confrontation mattered much less vis-a-vis this immense global power shift.

War, Peace and International Security, 2016

The Cold War This chapter discusses the four decades of the confl ict which we know as the Cold War. It has three main objectives. First, it aims to provide a proper periodization of this period based on the role of nuclear weapons as the main pillar of strategy. Second, it explains the process of creating a bipolar international order and the nature of the discussion about the inevitability of the Cold War. And last but not least, it aims to evaluate the individual stages of the Cold War in terms of positive and negative peace. 3.1 THREE BASIC FEATURES OF THE COLD WAR 3.1.1 The Heterogeneous Bipolarity After World War II The pillars of bipolarity were erected during World War II. The fi rst of them was symbolized by the "drawing [of] the map of postwar Europe in 1943" (Krieger 2006) and, namely, by the intensive planning to build military bases far to the east of the USA (Joint Chiefs of Staff 1943). Within this framework, the USA was preparing the production of new strategic bombers that were intended to be placed as close to the vital areas of potential enemies as possible (Joint War Planning Committee 1945), thus preparing the postwar strategy of forward bases being close to enemy territory (Leffl er and Painter 2005). The USA played a crucial role in the arrangement of the international system after this (Dockrill and Hughes 2006).

Articles: [“Churchill, Winston (1874-1965), 31-34; (with Christopher John Bright), “Committee on the Present Danger,” 39-40; “Cuban Missile Crisis,” 48-52; “Dulles, John Foster (1888-1959),” 56-59; “Eisenhower, Dwight David (1890-1969),” 61-64; “Kennan, George Frost (1904-2005),” 99-101; “Kissinger, Henry Alfred (1923-),” 107-108; “Nixon, Richard Milhous (1913-1994),” 151-153; “Reagan, Ronald Wilson (1911-2004),” 184-187; “United Nations,” 222-228.] The impact of the Cold War is still being felt around the world today. This insightful single-volume reference captures the events and personalities of the era, while also inspiring critical thinking about this still-controversial period. Cold War: The Essential Reference Guide is intended to introduce students to the tensions between the Soviet Union and the United States that dominated international affairs in the second half of the 20th century. A comprehensive overview essay, plus separate essays on the causes and consequences of the conflict, will provide readers with the necessary context to understand the many facets of this complex era. The guide's expert contributors cover all of the influential people and pivotal events of the period, encompassing the United States, the Soviet Union, Europe, Southeast Asia, China, the Middle East, Latin America, and Africa from political, military, and cultural perspectives. Reference entries offer valuable insight into the leaders and conflicts that defined the Cold War, while other essays promote critical thinking about controversial and significant Cold War topics, including whether Ronald Reagan was responsible for ending the Cold War, the impact of Sputnik on the Cold War, and the significance of the Prague Spring. Features •Several analytical essays by prominent historians, plus 85 additional A–Z reference entries about conflicts, incidents, leaders, and issues •35 examples of relevant primary source documents, including speeches, treaties, policy statements, and letters, such as the Marshall Plan and Winston Churchill's "Iron Curtain" speech •A detailed chronology of important events that occurred before, during, and after the Cold War •Numerous maps and images of key leaders and events •A comprehensive bibliography of print resources Highlights •Provides readers with a look inside the Cold War, pinpointing the main causes and consequences of this long-running conflict •Analyzes controversial Cold War topics that still generate widespread debate today to inspire critical thinking among readers •Supplements entries with a broad overview to help readers grasp the far-reaching implications of this worldwide conflict •Discusses key leaders and events in a scholarly, yet accessible manner

The Military-Industrial Complex and American Society, 2010

Articles: [“Cuban Missile Crisis (October 1962),” 67-71; “Dulles, John Foster (1888-1959),” 86-89; Eisenhower, Dwight David (1890-1969),” 91-95; “Marshall, George Catlett (1880-1959),” 193-196; McNamara, Robert Strange (1916-),” 198-201; “Nixon, Richard Milhous (1913-1994),” 220-222; “Reagan, Ronald Wilson (1911-2004),” 250-254; Roosevelt, Franklin Delano (1882-1945),” 268-271; “Rusk, Dean (1909-1994),” 273-275; “United Kingdom,” 309-315.] The first complete reference on the military-industrial complex, from its Cold War era expansion to the present. The Military-Industrial Complex and American Society addresses the broad subject of the political economy of defense research and its wide-reaching effects on many aspects of American life. Ranging from the massive arms buildup of the Cold War to the influx of private contractors and corporations such as Halliburton, it reveals the interconnectedness of the military, industry, and government within the history of this public/private enterprise. The Military-Industrial Complex and American Society offers over 100 alphabetically organized entries on a wide of range of significant research bodies and government agencies, as well as important people, events, and technologies. In addition, a series of essays looks at such essential topics as propaganda, think tanks, defense budgeting, the defense industry and the economy, and the breakdown of the military-industrial complex in Vietnam. With this work, students, policymakers, and other interested readers will understand the ramifications of the relationships between industry, scientific and technological communities, the government, and society. Features •Over 100 alphabetically organized entries on the government agencies, defense contractors, academic institutions, individuals, historic events, and technological breakthroughs relevant to the emergence and growth of the military-industrial complex •Contributions from over 25 accomplished scholars and experts on various aspects of the military-industrial complex and its wide-ranging influence on Cold War and post–Cold War America •A detailed chronology of key events in the development of the relationship between industry, science and technology, and the government •An extensive bibliography guiding readers to a wealth of additional print resources for further investigation Highlights •Examines the broad themes of the post–World War II political economy, centering on the relationships between the government, the military, and American industry •Illustrates the immense impact that defense research and production has had on American society and government, both the benefits (innovation, economic boost), and detriments (fraud, waste, profiteering) •Ties the study of popular culture, propaganda, business, and government policy together to paint a compelling picture of postwar America •Compares the growth and current characteristics of the military-industrial complex of the United States with those of its allies and rivals