Conflict or Consensus: East Germany, the Soviet Union and Deutschlandpolitik 1958-1984.
Abstract
Visible signs of disagreement over foreign policy between the Soviet Union and the German Democratic Republic have been a rare occurrence. The exception to this condition has been their differing interests in formulating policy on Germany or 'Deutschlandpolitik'. Over the past twenty-five years, several factors have drawn the decisionmakers of both countries in three specific instances to develop a 'Deutschlandpolitik' which led to discernable discord between them. By comparing the leading factors in an organized, methodical manner, with the help of historical case studies, one is able to better understand the most relevant causal factors relative to this discord. When East German and Soviet foreign policy and economic interests are misaligned and the two leaderships have differing levels of control over their foreign policy formulation, the development of conflict or dispute over their respective German policies is most likely. The potential for future differences over this policy issue remains likely as East German leaders work towards alleviating their country's identity problem via foreign policy actions potentially conflicting with Moscow's hegemonal interests.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 1986
- Accession Number
- ADA173942
Entities
People
- Thomas M. Petzold
Organizations
- Naval Postgraduate School