“Perestroika is a pressing necessity that has arisen out of the profound processes taking place in the course of the development of our socialist society. That society is ripe for change-one might say it has suffered enough. Any delay in pursuing Perestroika could lead in the very near future to a deterioration in the situation…
Tag: Soviet Union
Why is constitutional engineering crucial but difficult for the former communist countries?
When communism was imposed as the incontestable political doctrine at the culmination of the Second World War, many Eastern European nations set upon a new chapter in their respective histories. During the forty odd years as part of the Soviet Union a degree of economic, political and constitutional homogeneity was brought into this region, which…
Hypothetical Proposal to the President as a member of the Economic Committee
As a member of the Economic Committee, I urge the President to reconsider America’s trade relations with Cuba and start a new era of economic co-operation and trust. There are good reasons why such reconsideration is warranted. Much has changed since the Cuban revolution that occurred in the middle of last century. At that time,…
In what way was WWII the single most consequential event in Soviet history between 1921 and 1985?
Both the first as well as the second world wars are landmark events in modern world history. Both wars are marked by involvement of the prevailing world powers of the day. In the case of the First World War, the principal actors were the European powers of Britain, Germany, Austria, etc with nominal participation from…
Kosovo & Serbia
The Historical Background: The collapse of Yugoslavia into smaller states is a significant event following the collapse of the Soviet Union. To understand the complexities involved in this outcome, we have to grasp the history of the region going back a millennium. The middle centuries of first millennia AD was a period of continuous change…
‘United States Foreign Policy from 1945- 1991 was overwhelmingly concerned with USSR’. Explain.
Yes, the foreign policy of the United States has been predominantly concerned with the balance of power with USSR from 1945 to 1991. The rest of this essay will present facts and arguments in support of this assertion. Right through its history, America has not hesitated to use force under the pretexts of principles, sovereignty…
Major Changes from 1945 until the late 1960’s in American Society
The aftermath of the Second World War saw the formation of a bi-polar world, with the United States and the Soviet Union dominating their respective hemispheres. Both the powers were equipped with nuclear arsenal and any direct confrontation could have led to the destruction of the species. In this atmosphere where the stakes are very…
How was Ronald Reagan instrumental in the collapse of the Soviet Union?
Many believe Ronald Reagan alone didn’t win the Cold War but say that his policy of peace through strength was most critical in addition to his superb leadership. The Soviet Union collapsed of its own weight, but Reagan’s initiatives accelerated their fall. Reagan described the Soviet Union as an evil empire. With the scare of…
The Cold War in Europe and Asia – A comparison
The aftermath of the Second World War saw the formation of a bi-polar world, with the United States and the Soviet Union dominating their respective hemispheres. Both the powers were equipped with nuclear arsenal and any direct confrontation could have led to the destruction of the species. In this atmosphere where the stakes are very…
Discuss what Eisenhower meant by the “Military-Industrial Complex.”
Discuss what Eisenhower meant by the “Military-Industrial Complex.” Why did the outgoing president feel the need to warn Americans about this? How justified were Eisenhower’s concerns? Was there any irony to this warning? Explain. In his farewell address to the citizens of his nation, American President Dwight Eisenhower chose to dwell on one particular aspect…