Mario Del Pero- ''Incompatible universalisms''

Question 1

Why did the alliance between the Soviet Union and the Western democracies fall apart after 1945? What, according to Wiesner and Del Pero, were the causes of the Cold War?

Answer 1

Wiesner
* Ideological differences communism v capitalism meant us would aid ussr
* Disturst after wwii territorial disputes
* Expansion of influence- arms race

Del Pero’s view on this:
The causes of the Cold War can be attributed to the differing plans, ideas, and visions of the United States and the Soviet Union for the postwar period. Both countries shared some common geopolitical assumptions and initially hoped for a period of peace and stability. However, their universal models of modernity proved to be incompatible, and they became total and irreconcilable enemies, mobilising their military apparatuses and alliances against each other. Del Pero’s view on the causes of the Cold War emphasises the incompatibility of the U.S. and Soviet plans and the rapid breakdown of collaboration between the former allies. He highlights the structural factors, misperceptions, fears, opportunism, and strategic mistakes that contributed to the emergence of the Cold War. Additionally, he discusses the asymmetrical nature of the postwar situation, with the U.S. emerging as a real global power while the Soviet Union was such only in ambition and potential.

Question 2

According to De Pero and Wiesner, what security strategies did the US use to maintain its newly acquired position as a superpower?

Answer 2

• to preserve, expand, and consolidate its clear and unchallengeable superiority, maintaining a balance of power in which the U.S. could control the main economic and geopolitical pivots in Asia and Europe.
• restore and update the capitalist and liberal international order that had collapsed after the 1929 crisis, promoting free trade and economic interdependence to stimulate growth, guarantee political stability, and foster peace among nations.
• to avoid a return to isolationism in the United States by projecting power globally and keeping troops and forces in occupied areas much longer than originally planned.

1) To restore + update the capitalist and liberalist international order that had collapsed post 1929 - Great Depression.

2) to expand, preserve, consolidate superiority and restore it.

3) to avoid return of isolationism US.

Question 3

According to De Pero and Wiesner, what security strategies did the Soviet Union use to maintain its newly acquired position as a superpower?

Answer 3

• focused on establishing a sphere of influence in Central-Eastern Europe, relying on local pro-Soviet communist parties to create friendly regimes willing to accept limitations on their national sovereignty and subservience of their foreign and security policies to Moscow.
• They aimed to create a buffer zone in Eastern Europe between Soviet and German territories to strengthen their security. They projected a counter-universalism to the U.S.-liberal one, with the ultimate goal of expanding socialism globally, i.e. containment.
• Additionally, they sought to punish, divide, and exploit Germany, which had invaded Russia and the USSR twice in the previous thirty years. This went against what the US wanted
• Conception of security
• Buying time- thought capitalism would collapse on its own, so their goals were reflected in that when they strengthened security via the creation of a buffer zone on west borders whilst domestically reconstructing themselves

1) To Buy time by strengthening security. Believed that capitalism would dissolve eventually especially as Marx said this. Wanted to expand socialism globally.
–> created a buffer zone on western borders.

2)punish, divide and exploit Germany - it had invaded Russia + USSR twice.

3)Trying to establish a sphere of influence - Czechoslovakia, Poland, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria etc places they had occupied.
–> USSR trying to rebuild economically and physically so needed to do this.

Question 4

What is the Security dilemma?

Answer 4

As highlighted by Melvin Leffler, both sides believed they were acting defensively and pursuing their legitimate security interests. Their actions, however, nourished the fears and reactions of their counterpart, who frequently perceived them as threatening and offensive. According to Leffler, this “security dilemma” produced a vicious spiral that rendered the Cold War antagonism almost inevitable.

Greece, arms race, Cuban crisis, Korean war, Vietnam war, berlin

Question 5

Identify three concrete strategies deployed by the two superpowers (Cold War strategies)

Answer 5

1) Marshall Plan - including Eastern States but soviets refused - didn’t want to be supported by US, saw it as hegemonic influence - Economic + military support of allies. NATO - Warsaw Pact and Marshall plan to ger economic and military cooperation with all allies.

2) Nuclear testing as a deterrent - consequences are unforeseeable - mutually assured destruction, Mutual deterrence through nuclear armament.

4) Political interference + military interventions in other countries to counter/ contain influence of opponent. - Korea, Vietnam, Greece + Turkey - Communist parties highly influence by Moscow.

Question 6

What does Del Pero mean by consensual hegemony

Answer 6

is describing the American empire built post WWII as this.

Leading power achieves + maintains influence through consent and cooperation of other states.
–> economic aid (Marshall plan)
–>establishment of international institutions (NATO)
–> promotion of democracy + capitlaism

Through mutual beliefs, legitimacy, diplomacy and soft power.
Not relying on force of coercion.