Assessing One Psychological Dimension of East-West Competition in Europe.
Abstract
This paper examines the perceptions of allied leaders in the United Kingdom, France, and the Federal Republic of Germany, focusing upon the amount of interbloc tension in Europe these leaders perceived over the period 1946-70. The author first outlines some reasons why these perceptions are of potential importance for the development of comprehensive assessments of East-West political-military relations. Next he presents techniques that have been used to systematically monitor these perceptions on the basis of an assessment of these trends, he draws some implications which bear on American (and Western) political-military policy. The third section analyzes selected aspects of the larger framework of East-West competition within which leaders' perceptions were formed over the period, centering on such factors as Soviet and American actions, the strategic balance between the superpowers, and the defense burdens (defense expenditures/GDP) of the three Western European nations. This analysis shows the extent to which the leaders' perceptions can be empiracally related to other elements in this larger framework of competition. The final section provides summary conclusions concerning the extent to which factors such as elite perceptions can be systematically monitored, and their position within the larger structure of East-West relations.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 15, 1978
- Accession Number
- ADA062970
Entities
People
- Robert B. Mahoney Jr.
Organizations
- United States Army War College