Cold war and international relations are two subjects that couldn’t be divided. Nowadays, by the political development of international relations, there are few questions asked that ‘does the Cold War continue till today?’ On the face of it, the aforesaid question seems too easy, but society is divided into two parts by their opinion. By the commonly held view, the Cold War is part of the twentieth century and it doesn’t have any relation with the present. In spite of today’s global political pressure, a minority considers that the deterioration of international relations and the division of the world into Western and Eastern spheres prove that the chronological borders of the Cold War require serious changes. According to a range of widely spread theories in society, the Cold War subject needs deep and analytical analysis.
Chronological Boundaries of the Cold War
Before the discussion of the Cold War bases, I want to take up a few sentences about the chronological borders of the Cold War from scientific-research literature. On the whole, the Cold War was designated by the continuous rivalry that existed in the second half of the twentieth century between the Western and Eastern bloc countries. If we glance at history manuals, it’s possible to find a few dates that are recognized as the starting point of the Cold War. One of the earliest events in the origin of the Cold War arose from the anti-Communist remarks of British leader Winston Churchill. On March 5, 1946, in a famous policy speech characterizing the political situation of the time, he said:
“From Stettin in the Baltic to Trieste in the Adriatic an ‘Iron Curtain’ has descended across the continent. Behind that line lie all the capitals of the ancient states of Central and Eastern Europe. Warsaw, Berlin, Prague, Vienna, Budapest, Belgrade, Bucharest, and Sofia; all these famous cities and the populations around them lie in what I must call the Soviet sphere, and all are subject, in one form or another, not only to Soviet influence but to a very high and in some cases increasing measure of control from Moscow.”
The Soviet response to the Western bloc is recognized as Stalin’s interview to the newspaper “Pravda” on March 14th, but as we know, the Cold War had started much earlier than Churchill’s speech in Fulton.
The Ideological Battle
As I have mentioned, the Cold War can be apprehended as a contest between Western and Eastern bloc countries, with the West led by the USA and the East by the USSR. This effort was essentially an ideological battle between Communism and Capitalism, and autocratic and democratic systems. It was a traditional geopolitical struggle, developed by the idea of dominance among the developing world and the desire to control the world military industry.
What some historians call anti-communism, others analyze as fear, because Stalin, shortly after invading Berlin, had gone on to conquer all of Eastern Europe. The Americans responded to Stalin’s maneuvers in Eastern Europe with the Marshall Plan, a generous provision of free financial aid for the reconstruction of war-torn Western Europe.
The Soviets responded to the Marshall Plan with the Zhdanov Doctrine, unveiled in October of 1947. The Zhdanov Doctrine claimed that the United States was seeking global domination through American imperialism and the collapse of democracy. On the other hand, according to this Doctrine, the Soviet Union was intent on eliminating imperialism and the remaining traces of fascism while strengthening democracy.
The Long Telegram and Containment
The Americans reacted to the Zhdanov Doctrine with the so-called ‘Long Telegram,’ written by George Kennan, Deputy Chief of Mission in Moscow. Part of it reads:
“Soviet power, unlike that of Hitlerite Germany, is neither schematic nor adventuristic. It does not work by fixed plans. It does not take unnecessary risks. It is impervious to the logic of reason, and it is highly sensitive to the logic of force. For this reason, it can easily withdraw and usually does when strong resistance is encountered at any point.”
Because of George Kennan and his Long Telegram, official US policy became the ‘containment’ of Communism.
The Cold War: An Undeclared War
The Soviet Union and the United States, two nations that had never been enemies on any field and which had fought side by side during WWII, were now undeclared enemies in a war that would never break out in the open but would last for more than fifty years. This period was marked by intense political and military tensions, proxy wars, and a race for technological and ideological supremacy.
The Cold War’s Modern Echoes
Although the Cold War officially ended with the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, many argue that its legacy continues to influence international relations today. The division of the world into Western and Eastern spheres, marked by NATO and the Warsaw Pact during the Cold War, has left lasting geopolitical fault lines. The current tensions between Russia and NATO, the ongoing influence of the United States in global politics, and the ideological battles between different governance models can all be traced back to Cold War dynamics.
Theories and Perspectives on the Cold War’s Continuation
Several academic theories help to understand whether the Cold War continues today:
- Realism: This theory focuses on the enduring nature of state conflict and power struggles. Realists argue that the fundamental conflict between the US and Russia continues because it is based on power and security concerns that do not simply disappear with the end of the Cold War.
- Liberalism: This perspective emphasizes cooperation and international institutions. Liberals might argue that the Cold War’s end opened up possibilities for greater international cooperation, but ongoing conflicts are due to failures in international governance and diplomacy.
- Constructivism: This theory looks at the impact of ideas, identities, and discourses. Constructivists might examine how Cold War narratives and identities persist in shaping current international relations, suggesting that the Cold War’s cultural and ideological legacy continues to influence global politics.
Conclusion
The Cold War, a period of prolonged tension between the US and the Soviet Union, has left an indelible mark on international relations. While the traditional Cold War ended in the late 20th century, its influences are still felt today in the form of geopolitical tensions, ideological battles, and the structure of international alliances. To fully understand modern international relations, one must consider the historical context of the Cold War and recognize that many of its underlying dynamics continue to shape global politics.
The question of whether the Cold War continues today is not easily answered. It requires a deep and analytical examination of historical and contemporary international relations, considering various academic theories and perspectives. By understanding the Cold War’s impact and its lingering effects, we can better navigate the complexities of current global politics.