The Long Détente

Changing Concepts of Security and Cooperation in Europe, 1950s–1980s

Oliver Bange, Poul Villaume

• Publisher: Central European University Press
• Year: 2017
• ISBN:
  9789633861295
• Topic: Política y relaciones internacionales
• Subtopic: Diplomacia y tratados

This book presents pieces of evidence, which – taken together – lead to an argument that goes against the grain of the established Cold War narrative. The argument is that a "long détente" existed between East and West from the 1950s to the 1980s, that it existed and lasted for good (economic, national security, societal) reasons, and that it had a profound impact on the outcome of the conflict between East and West and the quintessentially peaceful framework in which this "endgame" was played.New, Euro-centered narratives are offered, including both West and East European perspectives. These contributions point to critical inconsistencies and inherent problems in the traditional U.S. dominated narrative of the "Victory in the Cold War." The argument of a "long détente" does not need to replace the ruling American narrative. Rather, it can and needs to be augmented with European experiences and perceptions. After all, it was Europe – its peoples, societies, and states – that stood both at the ideological and military frontline of the conflict between East and West, and it was here that the struggle between liberalism and communism was eventually decided.

Table of contents

• Cover
• Copyright page
• Table of Contents
• Acronyms and Abbreviations
• Introduction
• PART I: LONG PERSPECTIVES ON DÉTENTE
• PART II EAST-WEST TRADE
• PART III: THE INEXTRACTABILITY OF EXTERNAL AND DOMESTIC SECURITY
• PART IV: DÉTENTE IN EUROPE: CHANGE IN PERCEPTIONS
• PART V: DÉTENTE IN EUROPE: CHANGE IN DIPLOMATIC FRAMINGS
• PART VI: THE U.S. STORY: FROM COOPERATION TO CONFRONTATION AND BACK
• Select Bibliography
• Index
• About the Editors and Contributors
• Back cover