The Cold War and After: Capitalism, Revolution and Superpower Politics (Critical Introductions to World Politics)

The Cold War is often presented as a power struggle between the Soviet Union and the United States. Richard Saull challenges this assumption. He broadens our understanding of the defining political conflict of the twentieth century by stressing the social and ideological differences between the superpowers and how these differences conditioned their international behavior.Saull argues that U.S.-Soviet antagonism was part of a wider conflict between capitalism and communism involving states and social forces other than the superpowers. The United States was committed to containing revolutionary movements that emerged out of uneven capitalist development. Saull not only provides a richer international history of the Cold War than has been offered by mainstream approaches, but he also explains why revolutionary domestic transformations caused international crises. Tracing the origins of resistance to American power, Saull's book provides an ideal alternative perspective on the Cold War and its end."Saull provides us with major new insights into the turbulent history of the twentieth century. A must read for those looking for another way of thinking about our dark times."---Michael Cox, Director of the Cold War Studies Centre, London School of Economics"An indispensable book."---Marilyn Young, Department of History, New York University"Sophisticated and illuminating. The book exposes the thin superficiality of mainstream efforts to explain the dynamics of the Cold War. Saull's fascinating book will be indispensable not only for students of Cold War history but for students of international relations." The Cold War Is Often Presented As A Power Struggle Between The Soviet Union And The United States. Richard Saull Challenges This Assumption. He Broadens Our Understanding Of The Defining Political Conflict Of The Twentieth Century By Stressing The Social And Ideological Differences Between The Superpowers And How These Differences Conditioned Their International Behavior. Saull Argues That U.s.-soviet Antagonism Was Part Of A Wider Conflict Between Capitalism And Communism Involving States And Social Forces Other Than The Superpowers. The United States Was Committed To Containing Revolutionary Movements That Emerged Out Of Uneven Capitalist Development. Saull Not Only Provides A Richer International History Of The Cold War Than Has Been Offered By Mainstream Approaches, But He Also Explains Why Revolutionary Domestic Transformations Caused International Crises. Tracing The Origins Of Resistance To American Power, Saull's Book Provides An Ideal Alternative Perspective On The Cold War And Its End--publisher Description. Introduction : History And Theory In The Cold War -- The International Impact Of The Bolshevik Revolution And The Early Cold War, 1917-45 -- The Cold War Transformed : Geopolitical Restructuring And A New Wave Of Social Revolution, 1945-49 -- The Militarisation Of Cold War : The Containment Of The Ussr And The Emergence Of New Revolutionary Fronts, 1950-62 -- The Final Gasp Of Cold War : The Decline Of U.s. Military Superiority And The Expansion Of International Communist Power, 1962-1980 -- Ending The Cold War : From Militarised Counter-revolution To The Collapse Of Soviet Communism, 1980-91 -- Conclusions : Tracing The Paradoxical Ends Of The Cold War And The Origins Of Contemporary Conflict In World Politics. Richard Saull. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 237-249) And Index. The Cold War is often presented as an international power struggle between the Soviet Union and the US. Richard Saull challenges this assumption. He broadens our understanding of the defining political conflict of the twentieth-century by stressing the social and ideological differences of the superpowers and how these differences conditioned their international behaviour. Saull argues that US-Soviet antagonism was part of a wider conflict between capitalism and communism involving states and social forces other than the superpowers. The US was committed to containing revolutionary and communist movements that emerged out of uneven capitalist development. In highlighting the socio-economic and ideological dimensions of the Cold War, Saull not only provides a richer history of the Cold War than mainstream approaches, but is also able to explain why revolutionary domestic transformations caused international crises. Tracing the origins of new resistance to American global power, Saull's book provides an ideal alternative perspective on the Cold War and its end.