The Long Détente : : Changing Concepts of Security and Cooperation in Europe, 1950s–1980s / / ed. by Oliver Bange, Poul Villaume.

• Superior document: Title is part of eBook package: De Gruyter Central European University Press eBook-Package 2017
• MitwirkendeR: Bange, Oliver,; Békés, Csaba,; Fasanaro, Laura,; Kieninger, Stephan,; Lipkin, Mikhail,; Lippert, Werner D.,; Loewe-Hannatzsch, Sabine,; Mariager, Rasmus,; Niedhart, Gottfried,; Thomasen, Gry,; Villaume, Poul,; Wenkel, Christian,
• HerausgeberIn: Bange, Oliver,; Villaume, Poul,
• Place / Publishing House: Budapest ;, New York : : Central European University Press, , [2017]; ©2017
• Year of Publication: 2017
• Language: English
• Physical Description: 1 online resource (370 p.)

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

Frontmatter -- Table of Contents -- Acronyms and Abbreviations -- Introduction -- Part I: Long Perspectives On Détente -- East-West Conflict: Short Cold War and Long Détente -- The Long Détente and the Soviet Bloc, 1953–1983 -- Part II. East-West Trade -- Soviet Snowdrops in the Ice Age? -- European Long-Term Investments in Détente -- Part III. The Inextractability Of External And Domestic Security -- No End to “Political Ideological Diversion” -- New Security Concepts and Transnational Party Networks, 1976–1983 -- Part IV. Détente In Europe: Change In Perceptions -- Continuity and Transformation -- Perception of the Other: “Kremlinologists” and “Westerners” -- Part V. Détente In Europe: Change In Diplomatic Framings -- Pathfinders and Perpetuators of Détente -- Overcoming the Crisis of Détente, 1979−1983 -- Part VI. The U.S. Story: From Cooperation To Confrontation And Back -- Lyndon B. Johnson and the Building of East-West Bridges -- Between Power Politics and Morality -- Bibliography -- Index -- About the Editors and Contributors