Explaining the Cold War Using International Relations Theories

The Cold War (1945-1991) is a historical event whose results have shaped the world we live in in the 21^st century. An intense state of possibility of war between two superpowers namely the United States and the Soviet Union. A major nuclear war that would possibly destroy human civilization. The end of Cold War is the end of history according to Francis Fukuyama (1992), the victory of Western Bloc means that most of the world’s systems will be directly and indirectly shaped by the Western Bloc, be it economic, social, political, and military, lead to the impression that history has ended.

The Cold War itself can be seen from the lens of certain theories. Theory – a tool for analysis to better understand the events that have prevailed by analysing and providing an overview of what it could possibly led to in the future. The author of this paper is an International Relations graduates, who aims to explain in brief to support IR students on how to use the theories we learn in the case of the Cold War. The author hopes that the information provided in this paper can help students in the fields of social and political science, especially IR, to help direct, so that they are ready to explore the case studies that are obtained/selected and complete their assignments in more detail and accurate.

• Classical Realism

Hans Morgenthau’s “Politics Among Nations: The Struggle for Power and Peace” (1948) is a very influential book that provides explanation of realism and its roots. Classical realism look to the nature of man and believe that man are born with traits and instincts that lead to things considered by the world as evil, doing whatever it takes to have power and maintain power. In classical realism, man have competitive relationship. Therefore in the period of Cold War, we witnessed the competitive relationship between the Soviet Union and the United States who are competing in terms of ideological influence, space race, military might, techonological advances and etc. Not entirely aimed for the sake of ‘prosperity and progress of civilization’, having more focused on bringing down the opposing party/bloc to admit defeat in order for one side to be more dominant. The world is too small to divide power as that is the nature of man.

• Structural Realism (Neo Realism)

Structural realism looked to the structure of the international system (Unipolarity, Bipolarity, Tripolarity, Multipolarity) and believe that it is not the nature of man that causes states to behave that way, but it is the international system that is basically anarchic. There has never been a higher authority that sits above the states, therefore it is very important to be as powerful as possible. Why in the Cold War period, most of the wars that took place are not carried out directly by the two great powers but are proxy wars where superpowers uses the third party to fight the battle for them? Kenneth Waltz believe that bipolarity is the period of ‘stability and peace’. This opinion is supported by  John Mearsheimer who explained that “with only two great powers , both (Soviet Union and United States) can be expected to act to maintain the system.” Maintaining the bipolar system means that both superpowers are actually maintaining themselves.  

• Liberalism

Liberals generally have a positive outlook on human nature and they believe that rational principles can be applied in international relations. Liberals understood that individuals have their own interests and are competitive, but liberals believe that individuals share many interest and can be involved in collaborative and cooperative social actions both internationally and domestically (Jackson & Sorenson, 2003). The Unites States walks out the Second World War as an undisputed hegemon alongside the Soviet Union. The United States promotes their liberal principles which are later followed by the most of the Western block in Europe. The creations of International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) and General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) are none other than liberal institutions that aims to engage countries with the same stance to engage in collaborative and cooperative social and economic actions.

• Neo Marxism

Neomarxist challenge the ideas implemented based on the neoliberal assumptions with the development of the capitalist society which is led and promoted by the United States and its Western allies. According to Simon (2004), ‘free trade’ put forward by neoliberal is very much the interest of the hegemon, which, as the most efficient producer in the global economy are able to produce goods which were competitive in mall markets and will ultimately benefit them at the end of the process. In the period of Cold War, the United States as a great power are looking to promote other states to implement the democtratic/capitalist system, on the other hand, the Soviet Union are looking to promote other states to implement the communist/socialist system, both of which have ambitions and characteristics that are truly different. 

• Dependency Theory

Dependency theory is a theory based on the neomarxist principle, this theory did not accept the concept put forward by the liberal perspective who simplified that in order to turn from a traditional society to a modern society, a state must undergo the process of modernization. Dependency theory believe that this will never happen to nations considered to ‘them’ as  third world nations. Because modern capitalist states will indeed take advantages of the vulnarable third world and will not let these nations or regions escape from their position as being the producer or cheap material and labor. In the periods of Cold War, the United States are directly proven to be involved in the process of regime changes in Latin American countries, CIA involvement in this matter is no longer a secret. Overthrowing regimes to be replaced by a more pro-Western government in order to serve the interest of the capitalist states. According to Noam Chomsky (2016), this can create a situation where the majority population of the country live miserable and exploited, while the political elite groups lives rich.

• Constructivism

Constructivism – theory that based on the post-positivist category which provides explanation of the importance of cultures, identities, norms, ideas, and values. Constructivist looks to the humanities and sociology for insight into how reality is. In the period of Cold War, Constructivist believe that the reunification of East Germany and West Germany (1989) is caused by the concerned about the shared heritage they once had without putting more focus to politics and power struggle, that’s the biggest reason of the German unification. However, constructivism did not provide a significant explanation of the role of material forces in international relations. Because the relations between ‘the social’ and ‘the material’ are two things that are equally important. The believe that great powers is what shaped foreign and domestic policies is still something that played an important role in explaining the events in the period of Cold War. Perhaps, with the openness, interconnection, and global community that now exists, constructivism can better explain the 21st century. In the Cold War period, we didn’t witness the reunification of North Korea and South Korea or the reunification of the People’s Republic of China and the Republic of China (Taiwan). The reunification of Vietnam occurred not because of common identity, but a result a long period of war. As well as the confrontation between Malaysia and Indonesia that ended in the 1960s that are not limited to seeing each other as cognate nations (‘negara serumpun’).

References

Chomsky, N. (2016). How the World Works. (Ed. Naiman, A). Yogyakarta: Bentang Pustaka

Fukuyama, F. (1992). The end of history and the last man. New York: Free Press

Jackson, R. & Sorenson, G. (2003). Introduction to International Relations: Theories and Approaches (2nd ed.). New York: Oxford University Press

Simon, R. (2004). In Fakih, M. (Ed.). Gagasan Gagasan Politik Gramsci (pp.33-44) Yogyakarta: Pustaka Pelajar