Law, Foreign Policy, and the East-West Détente

Keyword(s):  
2015 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 55 ◽  
Author(s):  
EJITU N. OTA ◽  
Chinyere S. Ecoma

The end of East-West hostilities in 1991 brought to the fore of international relations, some issues that had hitherto either been ignored or trivialised. One of these is the phenomenon commonly referred to as globalisation, which is more or less a euphemism for westernisation. Like colonisation, globalisation is propelled not by any moral considerations or an abstract concept of humanitarianism, but by the more economic exigencies of finding reliable markets for the industrial goods and services of the developed world as well as ready sources of raw materials for the industries of the world’s major economic powers. For developing countries like Nigeria, where political leadership influences not only domestic policies but foreign policy as well, there is a compelling need to embrace the globalisation with cautious optimism. For one thing, globalisation is a powerful force for growth and development. For another, it is a process that presents both challenges and opportunities. Such opportunities, however, must be exploited against the background of a dynamic foreign policy that sees the welfare of Nigerians as its major objective.


2003 ◽  
Vol 37 (3) ◽  
pp. 737-763 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thammy Evans

Ever since the discovery of China by Western nations the West has continually tried to gain access to China, and sometime even to understand her. Conversely, many Eastern nations who came within China's reach have preferred to keep her at arms length. This dichotomy continues today, although the East/West division is less clear. The People's Republic of China's sheer geographical size, its location in the heart of Asia, its huge population and thus its potential as an economic and miitary superpower instils fear in many. Will the PRC become a ‘responsible power’, an irresponsible hegemon, or collapse into political disorder and chaos? In anticipation of the coming changes in the PRC, the foreign policy of those nations concerned with the PRC has oscillated between engagement and containment of China.


1983 ◽  
Vol 61 (4) ◽  
pp. 983
Author(s):  
John C. Campbell ◽  
Roger E. Kanet

2016 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 139-157
Author(s):  
Wanda Jarząbek

In Polish political thought and foreign policy during the four-plus decades of Communist rule in Poland, the German question played a central role. Many aspects of the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe (CSCE) were connected with the German question, but it would be a simplification to construe the Polish regime's interest in the conference only in the context of the German problem. Polish leaders saw CSCE also as a chance for introducing changes in East-West relations and for extending Poland's leeway for maneuver in international relations. This article shows how Polish Communist leaders thought about these issues and traces the diplomatic activity aimed at promoting the Polish point of view and securing the country's (and regime’s) priorities.


Significance Under pressure to comply with Russia's demands for greater integration, Belarus is trying to preserve an independent, non-aggressive posture. This often involves apparently conflicting foreign policy statements, but the desire not to be swallowed up as a de facto Russian province seems genuine. Movement towards tax integration with Moscow may reduce President Alexander Lukashenka's room for manoeuvre. Impacts An opinion poll shows that support for ‘union’ with Russia is falling but still above 50%, although few want state unification. Lukashenka will tolerate opposition positions that support independence but do not challenge his commitment to it. Belarus's rejection of military bases will not dissuade Poland from lobbying NATO for a large military presence.


Author(s):  
Simon Miles

This chapter covers Ronald Reagan's first meeting with Mikhail Gorbache in Geneva in November 1985, exploring the internal and external roots of the nascent new thinking in Soviet foreign-policy and its impact on East–West relations. It recounts how superpower relations over a five-year period became messy and contradictory as Moscow and Washington exchanged harsh words and engaged in more dialogue than is commonly thought. It also mentions how the process of ending the Cold War had begun as US policymakers regained confidence in their place in the world and their Soviet counterparts took drastic measures to deal with a deteriorating situation. The chapter refers to policymakers in Washington and Moscow who struggled with the dualities of the Cold War. It describes that the policymakers witnessed a strong and rising United States and a Soviet Union that was on a grim downward trajectory.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document