NATO and the Economic Problems of the Western Alliance
Abstract
The need for collective defense that gave rise to NATO in order to face the threat of Soviet expansionism in Europe has implications beyond the domain of military policy. A unified military posture demands coordinated diplomatic positions on matters not military in the narrow sense. Furthermore, international diplomacy is related in a very intimate way with international economic problems. It is thus from derived importance that international economic problems have a bearing on NATO. It is worthwhile noting that intimate economic relations among the NATO countries is not a goal in itself. The economic gains from harmonious economic relations among the NATO partners are no different from those that can be obtained from similar relations with Japan, Australia, Sweden, Switzerland, or indeed South Africa, the Soviet Union, Communist China, or Cuba. The fact that we draw diplomatic and military distinctions between these countries that carry over into economic policy should not hide the realization that no economic end is being served by these distinctions. Neither should we forget that when economic disputes occur among NATO countries, no special importance should be attached to them unless they have diplomatic or military implications.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 01, 1964
- Accession Number
- ADB241063
Entities
People
- Lawrence B. Krause
Organizations
- Center for Strategic and International Studies