The domestic sources of détente: state-society relations and foreign policy change during the Cold War

Chryssogelos, Angelos and Martill, Benjamin (2021) The domestic sources of détente: state-society relations and foreign policy change during the Cold War. Foreign Policy Analysis, 17 (2). ISSN 1743-8594

Preview

Text Chryssogelos and Martill FPA article.pdf - Accepted Version Download (315kB) | Preview

Abstract / Description

Research on foreign policy change claims leaders seek to restructure their country’s foreign relations when internal and external opportunity structures are permissive. But a number of prominent efforts at achieving change have occurred during times of considerable domestic upheaval and rigid international constraints. To understand why, this article examines three well-known cases of Cold War foreign policy change, focusing on the external relations of Charles de Gaulle in France, John G. Diefenbaker in Canada and Willy Brandt in West Germany. These cases suggest that domestic upheaval and foreign policy change were inextricably interwoven, and that efforts to effect strategic change on a grand scale were motivated by a desire to respond to the demands of marginalised domestic constituencies without incurring the costs of domestic reform. Our analysis suggests key moments of international change are best understood as domestic incorporation strategies rather than instances of significant and principled foreign policy change.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Cold War; foreign policy change; state-society relations; European security; political parties
Subjects:	300 Social sciences > 320 Political science
Department:	School of Social Sciences and Professions
Depositing User:	Angelos Chryssogelos
Date Deposited:	03 Nov 2020 10:13
Last Modified:	20 Jul 2021 09:42
URI:	https://repository.londonmet.ac.uk/id/eprint/6154

Downloads

Actions (login required)

View Item