Author Description
The East-West struggle for supremacy from 1945 to 1989 shaped the lives of hundreds of millions and brought the world to the brink of disaster on several occasions. More than two decades on, the debate over its causes and dynamics is far from over. Drawing on the latest archival evidence and scholarly research, prize-winning historian John Lamberton Harper provides a concise, briskly-written assessment of the Cold War. Why did it start, and eventually envelope nearly every corner of the planet? Why did it stay "cold," at least in its original, European theatre? Why did it end, and who should take the credit? Harper illuminates the deep-seated behavioural patterns within both the Soviet Union and the United States: the search for security through expansion and military might, the belief in a "messianic" mission to uplift humanity, but also a readiness to live and let live based on membership in a common state system and a shared interest in survival. He stresses ways in which internal competitions for political power tilted both the U.S. and Soviet systems towards bellicosity and obsessive preparation for a hot war that no one seriously intended to begin. It is a story of delusions of omnipotence and rash behavior, punctuated by moments of redeeming statesmanship and self-restraint. Harper concludes that, rather than triumphalism, a clear look back at the Cold War's close calls with catastrophe and enormous cost in lives and treasure ought to evoke a sense of regret and humility, as well as relief.
Menrva's Summary
THE THESIS
This work investigates the origins, escalation, and eventual conclusion of the Cold War, questioning why the conflict persisted for decades and how both superpowers managed to avoid direct nuclear confrontation. John Lamberton Harper, a distinguished historian, utilizes recent archival evidence and scholarly research to analyze the behavioral patterns of the United States and the Soviet Union. He argues that internal political pressures and messianic ideologies drove both nations toward expansionism, while a shared interest in survival prevented the conflict from turning into a global hot war.
THE SCOPE MAP
What You Will Find
- Analysis of the geopolitical struggle between the U.S. and the Soviet Union from 1945 to 1989.
- Examination of the internal political dynamics that influenced foreign policy in both superpowers.
- Evaluation of the role of statesmanship and restraint in preventing nuclear catastrophe.
Scope Limits
- The text focuses primarily on the U.S.-Soviet dynamic and does not provide an exhaustive history of every regional proxy conflict in equal detail.
THE AUTHORITY PERSPECTIVE
Experts and readers frequently highlight this text as a concise and balanced overview of the Cold War era. It is widely regarded as an accessible entry point for those seeking to understand the structural and psychological drivers of the conflict.
Page Count:
347
Publication Date:
2011-01-01
Publisher:
OUP Oxford
ISBN-10:
0191501247
ISBN-13:
9780191501241
History
International relations
Military History
20th Century
Cold War