This book explores the question of where power lies in the post-Cold War world. The authors identify and discuss the factors which make the United States the world leader in the 1990s, and consider the strengths and weaknesses of countries which may be on the way to becoming leaders in Europe (Russia and the EU) and Asia (Japan and China).
Autorentext
KEN ALDRED is currently Director of the Council for Arms Control, an independent research body operating within the Centre for Defence Studies at King's College, London. He was Secretary-General of the national pro-NATO campaigning body Peace Through NATO and was awarded the OBE in the 1994 New Year's Honours. MARTIN A. SMITH is Senior Lecturer in Defence and International Affairs at the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst. His publications in the field of European and international security include On Rocky Foundations: NATO, the UN and Peace Operations in the Post-Cold War Era.
Zusammenfassung
What has become of the two Cold War superpowers and of the region which was the main focus of their pre-1989 armed stand-off? The core argument in this book is that the post-Cold War world is shaping up to be `unitripolar'. The United States - the winner of the Cold War - is the world's most complete power. It is the only one with a real global vision, global interests and power-projection capability. Yet, the authors argue, the United States does not and can not dominate international life. Other leading powers in Europe and Asia have their own agendas which the US has usually, sensibly, decided to take into account and compromise with.The other Cold War superpower has disappeared and in its place has emerged a new Russian state which, the authors show, has been confined to the status of a largely regional and reactive power. The authors argue finally that Western Europe - through the European Union - has tried but so far failed to develop a more coherent and influential role and status as a global power.
Inhalt
List of Tables Preface Glossary of Names and Terms Power The Two Cold War Superpowers The United States - Cajoler or Controller? Succeeding the Soviet Union What Next for Europe? Has the Winner Taken All? Index