Vojtech Mastny – författare

The child of a small coup rather than an extension of popular will, the Soviet State was intrinsically insecure, its leaders ever fearful of internal and external threats. They did not feel that their regime would be safe until the revolution triumphed abroad, convinced that the outside world was implacably hostile. None felt this more strongly than Stalin. Indeed, as eminent historian of the Soviet Union Vojtech Mastny argues, it was Stalin''s insatiable craving for security, more than anything else, that was the root cause of East-West tensions and the Cold War. In The Cold War and Soviet Insecurity, the long-awaited sequel to his acclaimed work, Russia''s Road to the Cold War, Mastny offers a masterful history of the birth of the Cold War, drawing on extensive research in newly opened Soviet archives. Here Stalin takes center stage during the critical years 1947 to 1953, stamping East-West tensions with his personal blend of paranoia, ideology, ruthlessness, and wishful thinking. Indeed, given Stalin''s personality and his unquenchable thirst for security, Mastny argues, the Cold War arose as an "unexpected but predetermined" event--far from planned, yet scarcely avoidable. As Mastny unfolds the history of this climactic era, he offers a new understanding of important aspects of the developing conflict--throwing sharp light, for example, on the Kremlin''s relationship with foreign Communist parties (in both Eastern and Western Europe) and its very different responses to Tito and Mao. Indeed, the break with Tito demonstrates the depths of Stalin''s paranoia: the Yugoslav leader actually thought he was doing Stalin''s will, when all along his very similarity to Stalin alienated the Soviets--a case of "incompatible affinities," as Mastny writes. Here too is a fresh view of the outbreak of the Korean War: Stalin not only approved the attack, he actively armed and prepared the North''s Communist army. And yet, he strangely left the most crucial war decisions to the North Koreans. Mastny brilliantly analyzes these events, showing the impact of the fighting in Korea on European relations--especially the question of divided Germany. And throughout the volume, Mastny offers many thought-provoking observations--he shows, for instance, that U.S. covert operations (especially the attempted infiltration of armed agents into Eastern Europe) may have had greater historical impact, by reinforcing Stalin''s paranoia, than the better-known Soviet espionage efforts in the West; and that the West''s failure to exploit instability--especially in East Germany--after Stalin''s death, may have allowed a shaky Soviet regime to regain its footing and survive for another forty years. Russia''s Road to the Cold War provided the definitive portrait of Stalin''s foreign policy during World War II. Now, in The Cold War and Soviet Insecurity, Mastny provides an equally superb account of Stalin''s foreign policy during his last years. Combining important new research with the fascinating insight of one of the leading authorities on Soviet affairs, this authoritative volume illuminates a crucial period in recent world history.

The child of a small coup rather than an extension of popular will, the Soviet State was intrinsically insecure, its leaders ever fearful of internal and external threats. They did not feel that their regime would be safe until the revolution triumphed abroad, convinced that the outside world was implacably hostile. None felt this more strongly than Stalin. Indeed, as eminent historian of the Soviet Union Vojtech Mastny argues, it was Stalin''s insatiable craving for security, more than anything else, that was the root cause of East-West tensions and the Cold War. In The Cold War and Soviet Insecurity, the long-awaited sequel to his acclaimed work, Russia''s Road to the Cold War, Mastny offers a masterful history of the birth of the Cold War, drawing on extensive research in newly opened Soviet archives. Here Stalin takes center stage during the critical years 1947 to 1953, stamping East-West tensions with his personal blend of paranoia, ideology, ruthlessness, and wishful thinking. Indeed, given Stalin''s personality and his unquenchable thirst for security, Mastny argues, the Cold War arose as an "unexpected but predetermined" event--far from planned, yet scarcely avoidable. As Mastny unfolds the history of this climactic era, he offers a new understanding of important aspects of the developing conflict--throwing sharp light, for example, on the Kremlin''s relationship with foreign Communist parties (in both Eastern and Western Europe) and its very different responses to Tito and Mao. Indeed, the break with Tito demonstrates the depths of Stalin''s paranoia: the Yugoslav leader actually thought he was doing Stalin''s will, when all along his very similarity to Stalin alienated the Soviets--a case of "incompatible affinities," as Mastny writes. Here too is a fresh view of the outbreak of the Korean War: Stalin not only approved the attack, he actively armed and prepared the North''s Communist army. And yet, he strangely left the most crucial war decisions to the North Koreans. Mastny brilliantly analyzes these events, showing the impact of the fighting in Korea on European relations--especially the question of divided Germany. And throughout the volume, Mastny offers many thought-provoking observations--he shows, for instance, that U.S. covert operations (especially the attempted infiltration of armed agents into Eastern Europe) may have had greater historical impact, by reinforcing Stalin''s paranoia, than the better-known Soviet espionage efforts in the West; and that the West''s failure to exploit instability--especially in East Germany--after Stalin''s death, may have allowed a shaky Soviet regime to regain its footing and survive for another forty years. Russia''s Road to the Cold War provided the definitive portrait of Stalin''s foreign policy during World War II. Now, in The Cold War and Soviet Insecurity, Mastny provides an equally superb account of Stalin''s foreign policy during his last years. Combining important new research with the fascinating insight of one of the leading authorities on Soviet affairs, this authoritative volume illuminates a crucial period in recent world history.

Has the existence of nuclear weapons transformed the traditional relationship between power and its use in international affairs? If it has, are we then in a period of transition to a new system based on entirely different principles? How would such a transition affect the lives of individuals? A number of writers address these questions in Power and Policy in Transition. The three basic themes of the book are the nature of power, its use in the pursuit of national interests, and the susceptibility to change of the relationship between power and policy. Essays by scholars, professionals, and laymen grapple therein with the uses and abuses of power. The first of three sections addresses the changing nature of power since World War II. The second concentrates on those who either question or disregard the precepts of realism in international politics. The third considers how the changing nature of power in the world challenges American foreign policy.

Inquiries into the relationship between security and human rights are of very recent vintage. They have long been hampered by political scientists' predilection for political "realism." From that perspective, there seemed little doubt that power comes first and any human rights but a poor second. As wishful thinking turned into reality during the Eastern European revolutions of 1989, the limitations of such shortsighted realism became apparent. This book examines the causes and consequences of the emerging new relationship between security and human rights. It is divided into two parts, which deal respectively with security and human rights and their relationship to states and societies. What is the theoretical linkage between security and human rights? How has this linkage evolved within the context of East-West relations? What was the particular role of the Helsinki process in shaping this evolution? How do these issues affect the difficult transition from dictatorship to pluralism in countries facing the challenge of ethnic, economic, and social dislocation? The contributors to this volume seek to deepen our understanding of the forces that brought about the collapse of communism in Europe, and they explore the broader implications of change for the emerging post-cold war international order.

As a medium-sized power in strategic proximity to east central Europe, Italy has sought a special role in the region following the collapse of Communist regimes there. Building on historical traditions and cultural affinities, Italy has drawn on its newly acquired economic power and important position within the European Union to develop an "Eastern" policy, for example, as originator of the Pentagonale project for regional cooperation. As a result, Italy has often been perceived by east central Europeans as a key country in their efforts to become more closely integrated with western Europe. More recently, however, both ethnic strife in the region and the collapse of Italy's own political establishment have cast doubt on the country's ability to play the role that many east central Europeans as well as Italians hope it can assume in the future European order. In this timely volume, leading European and U.S. experts examine the multifaceted dimensions of what has been in many ways a unique relationship in contemporary Europe.

This book examines the causes and consequences of the emerging new relationship between security and human rights in Europe. It explores how the theoretical linkage between security and human rights evolved within the context of East-West relations. .

This book examines the diverse aspects of what may be considered Italy's "special relationship" with east central Europe. It also examines the multifaceted dimensions of what has been in many ways a unique relationship in contemporary Europe.

This book presents fifty analytical reports of Soviet/East European survey by the research staff of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty in Munich, focusing on the main events and trends in the Soviet bloc during Mikhail Gorbachev's third year in office from 1987 to 1988.

First published in 1988. Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty is well-known for broadcasting news and information to millions of listeners in Eastern Europe and the Soviet Union. In order to be an effective surrogate home service, RFE/RL has built up over the years a large research capacity, where Western-trained specialists describe and analyze develop

This book presents fifty analytical reports of Soviet/East European survey by the research staff of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty in Munich, focusing on the main events and trends in the Soviet bloc during Mikhail Gorbachev's third year in office from 1987 to 1988.

First published in 1988. Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty is well-known for broadcasting news and information to millions of listeners in Eastern Europe and the Soviet Union. In order to be an effective surrogate home service, RFE/RL has built up over the years a large research capacity, where Western-trained specialists describe and analyze develop

As a rising regional power in the critical borderland between Europe and Asia, Turkey has been more challenged than its neighbors by the disintegration of the Soviet Union and the break-up of Yugoslavia. A secular Muslim nation with a history of involvement in European affairs and some with Western international structures, Turkey is positioned to

This essential new volume reviews the threat perceptions, military doctrines, and war plans of both the NATO alliance and the Warsaw Pact during the Cold War, as well as the position of the neutrals, from the post-Cold War perspective.Based on previously unknown archival evidence from both East and West, the twelve essays in the book focus on the potential European battlefield rather than the strategic competition between the superpowers. They present conclusions about the nature of the Soviet threat that could previously only be speculated about and analyze the interaction between military matters and politics in the alliance management on both sides, with implications for the present crisis of the Western alliance.This new book will be of much interest for students of the Cold War, strategic history and international relations history, as well as all military colleges.

This essential new volume reviews the threat perceptions, military doctrines, and war plans of both the NATO alliance and the Warsaw Pact during the Cold War, as well as the position of the neutrals, from the post-Cold War perspective.Based on previously unknown archival evidence from both East and West, the twelve essays in the book focus on the potential European battlefield rather than the strategic competition between the superpowers. They present conclusions about the nature of the Soviet threat that could previously only be speculated about and analyze the interaction between military matters and politics in the alliance management on both sides, with implications for the present crisis of the Western alliance.This new book will be of much interest for students of the Cold War, strategic history and international relations history, as well as all military colleges.

This edited volume explores the significance of the early ‘Helsinki process’ as a means of redefining and broadening the concept of security during the latter half of the Cold War. The early Helsinki process introduced innovative confidence-building measures, and made human rights a requirement of a legitimate and well-functioning international system, thus providing the framework for disarmament in Europe in the mid-1980s, as well as the inspiration for the later demise of Communism in Europe. Using newly declassified archives, the book explores the positions of the two superpowers and the crucial impact of European Community member states, which introduced European values into the Cold War debate on security. It also shows how Eastern and Central European nations, such as Poland, did not restrict themselves to providing support to Moscow but, rather, pursued interests of their own. The volume sheds light on the complementary role of the neutrals as mediators and special negotiators in the multilateral negotiations; on the interdependence of politics and economics; and on the link between military security and the CSCE process.

This edited volume explores the significance of the early ‘Helsinki process’ as a means of redefining and broadening the concept of security during the latter half of the Cold War. The early Helsinki process introduced innovative confidence-building measures, and made human rights a requirement of a legitimate and well-functioning international system, thus providing the framework for disarmament in Europe in the mid-1980s, as well as the inspiration for the later demise of Communism in Europe. Using newly declassified archives, the book explores the positions of the two superpowers and the crucial impact of European Community member states, which introduced European values into the Cold War debate on security. It also shows how Eastern and Central European nations, such as Poland, did not restrict themselves to providing support to Moscow but, rather, pursued interests of their own. The volume sheds light on the complementary role of the neutrals as mediators and special negotiators in the multilateral negotiations; on the interdependence of politics and economics; and on the link between military security and the CSCE process.

As a medium-sized power in strategic proximity to east central Europe, Italy has sought a special role in the region following the collapse of Communist regimes there. Building on historical traditions and cultural affinities, Italy has drawn on its newly acquired economic power and important position within the European Union to develop an "Eastern" policy, for example, as originator of the Pentagonale project for regional cooperation. As a result, Italy has often been perceived by east central Europeans as a key country in their efforts to become more closely integrated with western Europe. More recently, however, both ethnic strife in the region and the collapse of Italy''s own political establishment have cast doubt on the country''s ability to play the role that many east central Europeans as well as Italians hope it can assume in the future European order. In this timely volume, leading European and U.S. experts examine the multifaceted dimensions of what has been in many ways a unique relationship in contemporary Europe.

As a medium-sized power in strategic proximity to east central Europe, Italy has sought a special role in the region following the collapse of Communist regimes there. Building on historical traditions and cultural affinities, Italy has drawn on its newly acquired economic power and important position within the European Union to develop an "Eastern" policy, for example, as originator of the Pentagonale project for regional cooperation. As a result, Italy has often been perceived by east central Europeans as a key country in their efforts to become more closely integrated with western Europe. More recently, however, both ethnic strife in the region and the collapse of Italy''s own political establishment have cast doubt on the country''s ability to play the role that many east central Europeans as well as Italians hope it can assume in the future European order. In this timely volume, leading European and U.S. experts examine the multifaceted dimensions of what has been in many ways a unique relationship in contemporary Europe.

Linked by ethnic and religious affinities to two post-Cold War crisis areas—the former Soviet Union and Yugoslavia—Turkey is positioned to play an influential role in the promotion of regional economic cooperation and in taking new approaches to security. In this book, experts from Turkey, Europe, and the United States address key aspects of Turkey

Linked by ethnic and religious affinities to two post-Cold War crisis areas—the former Soviet Union and Yugoslavia—Turkey is positioned to play an influential role in the promotion of regional economic cooperation and in taking new approaches to security. In this book, experts from Turkey, Europe, and the United States address key aspects of Turkey

The changing faces of federalism is an extraordinary book that provides a rigorous and original view of what will be the future of the European Union. It describes and discusses the tradition and the institutions of federalism in the Eastern, Central and Western European countries and deals thoroughly with many innovative issues about federalism such as multi-level-governance, network government, devolution, subsidiarity, asymmetry and functionalism. A fundamental assumption of the book is that the European enlargement and the new European constitution could result in two major evolutions in the future: one is a full federal state in the traditional hierarchical sense, the other is an institutional response to the effects of the technological innovations of our epoch, which would be established through the insertion of the European Union within the emerging broad network of local, national, continental and intercontinental bodies at world level.

The unexpected end of the protracted conflict has been a sobering experience for scholars. No theory had anticipated how the Cold War would be terminated, and none should also be relied upon to explicate its legacy. But instead of relying on preconceived formulas to project past developments, taking a historical perspective to explain their causes and consequences allows one to better understand trends and their long-term significance. The present book takes such perspective, focusing on the evolution of security, its substance as well as its perception, the concurrent development of alliances and other cooperative structures for security, and their effectiveness in managing conflicts.In The Legacy of the Cold War Vojtech Mastny and Zhu Liqun bring together scholars to examine the worldwide effects of the Cold War on international security. Focusing on regions where the Cold War made the most enduring impact?the Euro-Atlantic area and East Asia?historians, political scientists, and international relations scholars explore alliances and other security measures during the Cold War and how they carry over into the twenty-first century.

As a rising regional power in the critical borderland between Europe and Asia, Turkey has been more challenged than its neighbors by the disintegration of the Soviet Union and the break-up of Yugoslavia. A secular Muslim nation with a history of involvement in European affairs and some with Western international structures, Turkey is positioned to play an influential role in areas with which it shares both ethnic and religious affinities. Building on what is perceived as a successful model of political and economic development, Turkish leaders are promoting regional economic cooperation and advocating new approaches to security in the area. However, their efforts have been hampered by persistent economic deficiencies and by imperfect democracy in Turkey itself.In this volume, experts from Turkey, Europe, and the United States address the key aspects of Turkey's multifaceted role in Europe, its ethnic and religious ties to Central Asia and the Balkans, the Cold War legacy, the quest for a new security role in the region, problems of political modernization, and strategies for future economic development and regional cooperation.

This book presents fifty analytical reports of Soviet/East European survey by the research staff of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty in Munich, focusing on the main events and trends in the Soviet bloc during Mikhail Gorbachev''s third year in office from 1987 to 1988.

First published in 1988. Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty is well-known for broadcasting news and information to millions of listeners in Eastern Europe and the Soviet Union. In order to be an effective surrogate home service, RFE/RL has built up over the years a large research capacity, where Western-trained specialists describe and analyze develop

This book presents fifty analytical reports of Soviet/East European survey by the research staff of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty in Munich, focusing on the main events and trends in the Soviet bloc during Mikhail Gorbachev''s third year in office from 1987 to 1988.

First published in 1988. Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty is well-known for broadcasting news and information to millions of listeners in Eastern Europe and the Soviet Union. In order to be an effective surrogate home service, RFE/RL has built up over the years a large research capacity, where Western-trained specialists describe and analyze develop