Soviet conceptions of coexistence and detente : a study in international theory

Abstract

The thesis is concerned primarily with the objective credibility or realism of the official Soviet account of Peaceful Coexistence, detente and related issues. This question of credibility is regarded as methodologically prior to the question of the reliability or otherwise of Soviet doctrine as an index of Soviet intentions. But the concern of the current American debate on Soviet doctrine has been overwhelmingly with the second question, reflecting an apparent consensus among otherwise opposed groups that Soviet doctrine does not provide a realistic perspective on the problems of the contemporary great power relationship. The epistemological and substantive assumptions implied in such a consensus are considered and rejected; and it is argued that the 'schizophrenic' Soviet account, with its combination of a limited commitment to stable great power coexistence and a continuing expectation of revolutionary ferment in the Third World, does provide a generally realistic perspective on the problems in question. It is further argued that the process of adaptation to the unique features of international relations is continuing in Soviet doctrine} and that arguments which seek to demonstrate on doctrinal grounds a clear Soviet rejection of stable great power coexistence are untenable.