Dtente, meaning and definition.
DÉTENTE:
MEANING AND DEFINITION:
Détente is a process by which two or more nations move away from a continuous confrontation with each other in general direction of cooperation1. It is the relaxation of the international tensions which can take place only when certain objective conditions exist: a realization by the protagonists that there are political and economic limitations to the assertion of their power in the world, a change in the respective national perceptions of the "enemy" and a recognition of the necessity to seek improvement of nation' posture through a partial accommodation with the adversary.
Détente is a French term, meaning relaxation of the tension. With the watering down of antagonism and hostility between the superpowers an atmosphere of relaxation gained momentum in international relations. It was this atmosphere of relaxation that found expression in term détente .In the nuclear age, détente, in some form, was essential
For survival. Outright hostility was ruled out between the two power blocs. Two superpowers realized that by mutual cooperation, their distrust could be minimized and the intensity of conflict reduced .In their mutual interest both sides found it advantages to enlarge the sphere of mutual cooperation. Detente is conscious and deliberate attempt to reduce this tension significantly. Dtente means an effort by both superpowers to develop goodwill, understading and cooperation between them, which may gradually help in decreasing the intensity of the cold war conflict. 2
Détente does not signify the end of the adversary relationship between the U.S and the U.S.S.R. It only means rejection of war and threat of war as the ultimate means of resolving their conflict and achieving their particular objectives; and since the two government also assume that they can attain these objectives through negotiations, they recognize that their conflict is not irreconcilable or, at the very least 3, that there are limits to what they can hope to achieve. The initiation of the negotiation will not, of course, prelude application of political and economic pressures or exploitation of favorable developments in other countries and regions to the detriment of the adversary. Resort to negotiation, however, does imply that there will be self-restraint and continuous and active diplomatic intercourse.
U.S-Soviet détente, regarding of definitional problems, will hopefully reduce the danger of war and promise alleviation of regional conflicts involving the superpowers. It will also create new difficulties, however, by demanding for grater political and diplomatic skill than was required in the "era of confrontation", and by straining the established alliances, as lesser powers anticipate the emergence of U.S_Soviet condominium that would sacrifices their vital interests on the altar of detente. New international tensions could arise if these nations begin to attend their political, economic and security needs independently. Other, in part because without superpower confrontation the alliances lose much of their initial value to their original orientation. Such shifts would produce a new instability, subjecting the superpowers, and the détente they initiated, the new pressures. Their resolve to avoid a direct confrontation might not weaken, but their perceptions of each other would continue to change as they attempted to manage, separately or jointly, new local crisis.
Henry Kissinger, Secretary of State of United State of America in the Nixon, administration, was the genuine architect of the détente. It was "long step away from the postwar period". It is attempts "to reconcile the reality of competition with the imperative of co_existence" dictated by the need to avoid military confrontation and above all a nuclear war. The word détente had appeared on the horizon of international relations in 1961-62 and engaged the attention of political observers yet it did not bring the cold war to a complete end .The period between 1962-69 can be characterized as thaw in cold war, as during all this period the cold war went on limpingly. As a matter of fact it was visible prominently not only in Soviet-American relations but also Sino-American relations. On the other hand Soviet scholars kozyrev and Nilov say, "Détente opens up favorable prospect for international cooperation on the sold basis of peaceful co-existence of state with different social system". As a path on the broad to the peace, the era of détente is marked by a continuation of efforts by the superpower adversaries to relax tensions, diminish distrust and increase accommodation.
Détente is rather a political process, which has still to prove its possibilities of success. Nevertheless, there is general agreement that détente is potentially a positive process which may yield concrete fruits in future.
Détente introduced a new fluidity to European diplomacy, a theatre that had been virtually petrified since the final consolidation of the East-West sphere of influence in 1961.4
Détente successfully linked the whole range of issues between East and West all around the world. If the Soviets were to reap the benefits of the relaxation of tensions, they, too, were obliged to contribute to détente.5
Détente not only calmed the international situation, it created inhibitions, which caused soviet leaders to accept what amounted to a major geopolitical retreat.
FEATURES AND ELEMENTS OF DÉTENTE:
There are main characteristics and elements of the détente. These are following
. Deterrence:
Both the superpowers want to reduce the arms race and armament on the mutual consent. But the concept of the balance of the power would not be upset by this diplomacy of the détente. Deterrence is main feature and element of the détente. Nixon observes, peace is the by-product of "mutual respect for each other's strength". He further says: "our policy must combine deterrence with détente. Détente without deterrence leads to appeasement, and deterrence without détente leads to unnecessary confrontation " 6
2. Peaceful co-existence:
Another element of he détente in the seventies was peaceful co-existence. Détente did not seek to eliminate the ideological warfare between them. It continued to stay in spite of progress, if an, in détente. Kissenger has rightly observed: "the US and Soviet -Union are ideological rivals. Détente cannot change that. The nuclear age compels us to coexist. Rhetorical crusades cannot change that either.
In late eighties detente entered the phase in which even ideological warfare was mellowed down and gradually it faded out more or less completely in the early nineties. Gorbachev said in 1989: "Nations cannot and should not pattern their life either after United States or the Soviet Union. Hence, political position should be devoid of ideological intolerance".7It was conceivable in the post-second World War period characterized by the cold war. Old forms and means are not allowed to hinder new approaches to the building of humane international relations.
Elements of the Conflict:
The advent of détente does not imply disappearance of conflict and hostility altoghther. For quite sometime, both détente and cold war lived side by side. Cold War persisted in some form or the other so long as there were mutual suspicion and hostility between two rival camps. New Cold War marked the period from 1979 to 1985 and détente reached its lowest ebb, thus, for a long détente combined elements of conflict, competition and cooperation.
Negative and Positive Elements:
Détente has both negative and positive elements. Negative elements signify substantial reduction of tension between the two power blocs in general and between the two superpowers in particular. A positive element indicates increase in mutual trust and understanding between them and brightening of prospect for world peace. One would give way to the other. Mutual trust helps in leading the cold war wounds. These wounds in turns compel both sides to reduce tensions. Detente aims at both these elements.
Mutual trust Out of Mutual Fear:
The creation of mutual ...
This is a preview of the whole essay
Negative and Positive Elements:
Détente has both negative and positive elements. Negative elements signify substantial reduction of tension between the two power blocs in general and between the two superpowers in particular. A positive element indicates increase in mutual trust and understanding between them and brightening of prospect for world peace. One would give way to the other. Mutual trust helps in leading the cold war wounds. These wounds in turns compel both sides to reduce tensions. Detente aims at both these elements.
Mutual trust Out of Mutual Fear:
The creation of mutual trust between the US and the Soviet Union was one of the chief objectives of the détente. But, it is worth mentioning that there was little trust between them they realized the need of détente. To a great extent détente was grown out of mutual fear and not out of mutual trust. Détente was the result of the strategic necessity of avoiding suicidal nuclear war and of awareness of he mutual advantages that could be derived from collaboration.
Multiple levels of the détente:
The term détente was used to signify the apparent relaxation in the otherwise tense relations between the two superpowers-the USA and the USSR. But it will be too parochial to associate détente with the gradual improving of relationship between these two powers. USA started a period of relaxation of the tension with USSR on one hand and with the China on the other hand. Soviet continued period of the détente with the USA on the one hand and with the Western Europe on the other hand. Sino-Russia détente was also worth mentioning.
US-Soviet Détente.
US-Soviet characterized by the relaxation of the tension, antagonism and anxiety between these two superpowers. Both the Superpower have exhausted by the long run cold war, arms race and militarisation not only on their own geography but also on the soils of the others. The leaders of the both two nations thank about the reduction of the tension and build consensus and atmosphere of the trust, understanding, cooperation and mutual collaboration. The process of the détente dates back to the year of 1959 when Khrushchev paid a historical visit to the USA in pursuance of his policy of the peaceful co-existence and strongly suggested the programme of the disarmament by all the states. He asked for a reduction of the foreign troops, establishment of an atom-free-zone in Central Europe and the withdrawal of the foreign troops and bases in foreign countries. At Camp David in USA, Khrushchev and Eisenhower signed an agreement, which is later on described as "Camp David Spirit".
During the years of the 1972, president of the USA, Nixon paid the visit of the Moscow and signed the Strategic Arms Limitation Talks (SALT-I) and then SALT-II was signed in the years of 1979 in Carter' period. And after this lots of the Summit and agreement signed to reduce the tension and antagonism in the Gorbachev 'era. USA -Soviet détente was reduced the tension in the arms race as well as economic and scientific level.
Détente in arms race:
The détente played important role in the arms race, because the détente is originally built only for the arms race .it reduced the tension the arms race by signing the agreements like "Camp David Spirit", SALT-I, SALTII, PTBT, START-I, and START-II.NPT.and etc.
Détente in Economic and Scientific level:
Détente on the economic and scientific level important role as Soviet Union had been importing wheat from the US. Soviet Union had also shown keen interest in borrowing American technology for oil exploration and further development in some key industrial agreements with France, Germany, and other Western countries. USSR and US had cooperated with each other in undertaking some scientific researches and space exploration. Cultural exchanges have also been taking place between these countries. There is table of the economic and trade activities between Soviet and Capitalist states.
TRADE TURNOVER AND SOVIET EXPORTS
(Rubles in millions)
Countries Year Total Exports
United Kingdom 1971 605 405
1972 558 371
1973 715 541
Italy 1971 495 223
1972 464 228
1973 624 310
France 1971 776 377
1972 816 381
1973 722 272
Japan 1971 734 377
1972 816 382
1973 994 622
Canada 1971 149 12
1972 300 19
1973 265 21
United States 1971 184 54
1972 538 76
1973 1161 138
West Germany 1971 667 255
1972 827 256
1973 1210 454
East Germany 1971 3443 1716
(Excluding West Berlin)
1972 3706 1671
1973 3965 1856
Source: Data according to the Bureau of East-West Trade, Department of commerce8.
Sino-USA Détente.
Détente period emerged in the relations of the Sino and USA, in the era of the Nixon and Henry Kissingir. Kissinger paid the secret visit by road from Pakistani side and paved the way for the diplomatic relation between these two states. After this the President Nixon paid the formal visit of the PRC in 1972. From this date, diplomatic relations were established and tension decreased between these two.
Sino-Soviet Détente:
From the very beginning of the PRC, the relations between China and USSR were not good. Their relations were going badly toward worse. Then in the era of the 70's both the nations realized that they would minimize the tension on the longest border of the world by deescalating and normalizing the relations through mutual consensus by advancing the opportunities of the trade and Good diplomacy.
Détente between USA and Eastern Europe, USSR and Western Europe and Japan:
USA after reduced the tension between the Eastern Europe by the process of the détente. As such USSR decrease the tension between the Western Europe and Japan by signing the Helsinki Conference on the Security and Cooperation in Europe in 1975 was significant step toward the process of détente which was attended by 35 countries of the Europe and north America, formulated certain agreed principle governing a variety of relationship between the state of two blocs. Though Helsinki decisions did not essentially ease the situation, nor these were legally binding on the participants yet these did make for some relaxation of tension.
Kinds of the Détente:
In the sixties and early seventies détente continued on different fronts but the most worth mentioning and chief parts are three. These are following;
Military level:
The main kind of the détente was the military warfare. Because there was a perception that both the super powers now have the nuclear capability which was very harmful when one state exploded on the other .So for this they always perceived a threat from the other. They seek in the mutual collaboration in this field. They were exhausted from the arm race and militarism. So through détente they tended to resolve this problem by constraining each other by treaties. They were negotiating several times as the shape of the treaties. Such as Partial Test Ban Treaty (1963), NPT (1969), SALT-I (1972), SALT-II (1979), INF Treaty (1987), START (1991).
Economic and Political level:
The Soviet Union had been importing the wheat from the US. The former had shown keen interest in borrowing American technology for Oil exploration and further development in some key industrial areas. The Soviet Union had also entered into certain economic agreements with France, Germany and other Western countries. All theses development indicates economic détente.
Scientific and Cultural:
US-USSR has cooperated with each other in undertaking some scientific researches and space exploration. Of late cultural exchanges have also been taking place between these countries. These activities are termed as scientific and cultural détente.
Causes of the Détente:
Détente was the by-product of the various factors and elements. There are so many causes, which compel to both states to bent on the eve of the peace and relaxation of the tension, such as:
Nuclear Nightmare:
The stock -pile of the nuclear warheads by rivals big powers-the USA and USSR -which had assumed threatening dimensions made them realize the futility of such a mad race. The increasing costs of a continued arms race thus contributed to a development of détente. Northedge and Grieve rightly observed:"The fear of thermonuclear war, could annihilate both sides. And determination to avoid the kind of confrontation between two super-powers from which thermonuclear war could spring". Hence the first cause of diminishing tension was the realization that if the nuclear arms race went on unchecked, their economic growth in the long run without adding to their security.
Nuclear proliferation:
It was contrary to the common interest of two superpowers that more and more
nations should acquire the nuclear know-how and thereby pose a new threat to their
Supremacy. Already they were ill at ease to find Britain, France, and China
emerging as nuclear powers. It was their anxiety, and, therefore to stem any more
Proliferation of nuclear warheads, apart from the nations mentioned above, otherwise
Their positions of par excellence would suffer a sever setback.
USA's Compulsion:
The economic pressure played its part in watching down stiff attitude of the United State. Fro instance, the dollar was facing depreciation on accounts of its adverse balance of payments position with Japan and West European countries. Retreat from the Vietnam after having burnt its fingers severely jolted America economy in late Sixties. Beside, The US also wanted to woo Soviet Union with a view to finding an outlet for its sophisticated industrial products like computers etc. in the East European market. American, s government had lost the trust of the public opinion and now they obliged to take under consideration opinion of the public in the independent policy.
USSR's Compulsion:
The Soviet Union was also prompted to product her vested interests by adopting more conciliatory posture toward the United State .The economic constraints weighed with Soviet Leaders. Their war-oriented economy caused not only the top-sided development but also resulted into serious shortage of wage-goods and several consumers -durables. Northedge and Grieve explained:" Again, rising living standards in the Soviet Union probably gave that country a strong interest, like Americans, in reducing the massive sale of arm expenditure in the cold war by arm control and agreements, in increasing its lagging technology by agreements with the Western powers to make their skill equipment available to Russia industry.
In 1980's the economic system of the Soviet Union could not come up to the expectation of the new world of the consumer society and standards set by the more affluent living patterns of Western Europe and United States.
Principle of the Peaceful Co-existence:
The policy of the peaceful co-existence was initiated by Russia during the premiership of the Malenkov but it became more and more clear during Khrushchev and later Breznev-Kosygen period. The Stalin and his policies were criticized and Leninist principle of "inevitable war with capitalist countries" was modified and theory of peaceful co-existence was accepted. The US responded gradually to the policy of peaceful co-existence and in this way the process of détente went on gathering more and more momentum.
Role of the Non-alignment:
The newly independent states in a way also compelled the big powers to adopt the policy of peaceful co-existence. This newly group of the states launched a movement to avoid the influence of the both superpowers in order to gain the prestige and dignity.
Rise of Multipolarism:
In the sixties bipolarism was on the decline and multipolarism or polycentrism was on the rise in the international sphere. China had emerged as a third major power. France and Britain also regained their power and prestige. It was really remarkable that Gross National Product, France and West Germany were growing appreciably faster than the United States.
Sino-Soviet Rift:
The relations between Soviet Union and the Communist China were going fro bad to worse and there were no prospect of any improvement. The Soviet Union also had the United States as her rival. When the United States tried to improve her relations with Communist China in 1972. The Soviet Union also decided to improve its relations with the United States so that she may not be handicapped in the events of the war between the Soviet Union and United States with helping the United States or in the event of a war between Soviet Union and China with United States helping China.
Gorbachev Factor:
There is no denying the fact that Gorbachev factor played its significant role in easing out tension in Soviet-American relations in 1985.Gorbachev's "New political Thinking" for the world was instrumental in bringing détente again on the rails. "New Political Thinking " recognize 'balance of interests' instead of 'balance of power', cooperation instead of confrontation, internationalization instead of nationalization, disarmament instead of armament and de-idealogisation of inter-state relations instead of ideologisation, détente instead of cold -war. International relations in general and Soviet-American relations in particular have passed into a qualitatively new era with the advent of new political thinking.
EVOLUTION AND PHASES OF THE DÉTENTE:
The process of the détente witnessed several ups and downs. Its evolution can be studied by dividing its short history into the following chronological phases .No doubt these phases are somewhat arbitrary yet they point out reasonably grouped diplomatic facts and events.
Period of Thaw, 1959-1969:
We cannot deny the fact that during Thaw period cold war politics continued but there were certain developments as well that could be regarded as the origin of the détente. The process of the détente, in its true sense, dates back to year 1959 when Khrushchev paid a visit to USA in pursuance of his policy of peaceful co-existence and strongly suggested the programme of disarmament by all the states .He asked for a reduction of foreign troops, establishment of the an atom-free zone in central Europe and the withdrawal of foreign troops and bases in foreign countries. At Camp David in USA, Khrushchev and Eisenhower signed an agreement to the effect that they settle their bilateral disputes by peaceful means and would brightened the chances of ending the cold war. This historical event described at that time as the "Camp David Spirit" which became a precursor of peace and understanding.
Heydays of Détente, 1970-76.
During their tenure president Nixon and Secretary of state Kissinger showed keen interest in the successful implementation of this process. Nixon 's visit to Moscow in May 1972 bears an ample testimony to his anxiety for improving Soviet-American relations. His visit culminated in signing strategic Arms Limitation Talks (SALT-I) .It was earnestly hoped that this treaty would go a long way in minimizing the tension between the two superpowers. During this period Nixon and Kissinger also visited Beijing in 191 and initiated détente of Sino-us level.
With view to normalizing the relationship between the two super powers, Breznev, the Soviet Communist Party Chief, paid a return to Washington in June 1973.This visit also paid rich dividends inasmuch as four agreements were signed between the USA and USSR. These agreements related to fields of agriculture, oceanography, transportation and such other economic and cultural matters as were likely to bring the two powers more close to one other.
The Helsinki Conference on security and Cooperation in Europe in 1975 was another significant step towards the process of détente which was attended by 35 countries of Europe and North America, formulated certain agreed principle governing a variety of relationship between the state of two blocs. Though Helsinki decisions did not essentially ease the situation, nor these were legally binding on the participants yet these did make for some relaxation of tension. The existing alliances were to continue but there were provisions for peaceful alterations of borders, unrestricted flow of ideas and movement of peoples and more cooperation in the economic field. These friendly ties between the two powers were not only getting stronger on the surface of this world rather this amity was visible in the outer space as well .The Apollo-Soyuz, joint mission in July 1975 was a glorious illustration in this respect.
3. Problems in Détente, 1977-1979.
In the post Nixon-Ford era, the soviet -American détente was hanging on a thin thread. In the initial years (1977-78) of the tenure of the Jimmy Carter the process of détente received sever jolts due mainly to his 'open diplomacy' emphasis on human rights and difference of opinion over taking the SALT-II agreement. But the situation was saved from taking an ugly turn as Carter became more discrete in his prouncements and behavior.
The Carter proposals came to them as bombshell. The major proposals involved a "deep" reduction in the total number of strategic weapons with limits only on the range of Cruise missile and not its deployments .Due to these difference USA-USSR talks regarding SALT-II agreement failed in may 1977.The proposal of détente remained in doldrums till september1977. There were all-pervasive apprehensions that the superpowers never cry a halt to the mad arms race. But silver lining appeared on the horizon in September 1977 when both by the limitations imposed by SALT-I agreement even though it was to cease to operate formally after October 1977. However after crossing great hurdles SALT-II was finally signed in 1979,which was not ratified by the Congress.
USSR took invasion in the Afghanistan in late 1979, which is great hurdle in the way of the détente and beginning of the new cold war.
Setback to Détente, 1979-1985:
This phase was marked by a steep downward trend in the process of detente and revival of the new cold war. The massive Chinese invasion of a tiny country like Vietnam in February 1979, in order to what Vice-Premier Teng called "punish" and "teach a lesson " to Vietnam and seeming acquiescence of the Anglo-American bloc, marked a portentous development in which détente was really to be a natural casualty.
The situation started deteriorating during the last years of Carter' tenure in the wake of Afghanistan crisis in 1979-80.A puppet government backed by the Soviet Union came into power after the Soviet military intervention in that country. There was a wide spread apprehension in the mind of the America that the Soviet intervention might spread in the vulnerable countries neighboring Afghanistan like Pakistan, Iran etc. Political instability in the latter countries strengthened this apprehension.
The US senate did not ratify the SALT-II, which was signed after a great difficulty, as the USA was unhappy with the USSR on Afghan issue. Hence during this period, there were neither any summit level talks between the two countries nor was any headway made in respect of disarmament. On the contrary Reagan Administration with a view to intimidating Russia started harping on Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI) popularly known as Star War Programme.
Re-emergence of Détente, 1985-onwards:
By the mid-80s, the situation in Soviet-American, and consequently in East-west relations, as a whole had deteriorated giving cause for great concern. It was at this stage that Gorbachev and his "new political Thinking" came to the rescue. Gorbachev had a different attitude toward the American people, as he did not regard them aggressive. He disliked tensions, confrontation or intense rivalry between these two countries; such a situation was harmful for the larger interest of all people. After coming to power Gorbachev had several super power summits first with Reagan and then with Bush. During these summits top leaders showed their willingness to take Washington and Moscow beyond détente towards cooperative relationship. A brief resume of these summits is given bellow;
* Geneva Summits, November 19-21,1985
First Summit between Reagan and Gorbachev
* Reykjavik (Iceland) Summit, October 11-12, 1986.
Second Reagan and Gorbachev Summit.
* Washington Summit, December 7-10, 1987.
Third Reagan and Gorbachev Summit.
* Moscow Summit, May 19-June 2,1988.
Fourth Reagan and Gorbachev Summit
* Malta Summit, December 2-3, 1989.
First Summit Between Bush and Gorbachev.
* Washington Summit, May 30-June 2,1990.
Second Bush and Gorbachev Summit
* Helsinki Summit, September 9,1990.
Bush and Gorbachev
* Paris Summit and pact, November 19,1990.
NATO nations and Warsaw Pact.
* Moscow Summit and STAR-I, July 31,1991.
Between Bush and Gorbachev signed the START -I.
* Sweeping Reduction in Nuclear Arsenals, September 27,1991.
Between Bush and Gorbachev.
* Bush and Yelsten;s Announcement regarding cuts in Strategic Nuclear Arms, January 29,1992.
* Russia and Us as Allies
* The US-Russia Summit June 16-17 1992.
IMPACT OF DÉTENTE:
Soviet-American détente had a wide-ranging impact .It not only influenced their bilateral relations but embraced the whole gamut of international relations. The relaxation of the tension has lot to the following trends in the contemporary international relations.
End Of the Cold War:
Decades-old hostilities between the superpowers, together with the all-out research for military bases, political allies and vulnerable puppets regimes, have become thing of the past. The Iron Curtain was lifted, the citadel of apartheid breached, the Berlin Wall demolished, logical blocs collapsed, military alliances terminated, arms race decelerated, struggle for expansion of sphere of influence contained, cloud of the third world rolled by, division of the Europe disappeared and solution of the many regional conflicts appeared possible, Thus, the foremost impact of détente was the end of the cold war.
Disarmament:
Usually the process of the détente was considered as the progress of the disarmament. The bilateral talks and summit meetings regarding disarmament was the process of the disarmament. SALT-I (1972), SALT-II (1979), INF Treaty (1987), START (1991).
Proliferation of the Détente.
Improved Soviet-American relations had its snowballing effect. It reflected in the détente at other levels such as SINO-US level, EAST-WEST European level, Soviet -WEST Europe level, America-East level, SINO-Soviet level, Soviet-japan level.
Irrelevance of the military Alliances:
Military alliances like SEATO, CENTO had already faded away. Remaining active and potent alliances like NATO and Warsaw Pact also lost their relevance after November 1990. The heads of 34 NATO and Warsaw Pact nations, assembled at a historic summit in Paris on November 10, 1990 signed a landmark treaty slashing their massive cold war non-nuclear conventional weapons in Europe .The accord reverses the biggest arms build-up in history. These alliances have no adversary since the end of the cold war. With the collapse of communist regimes in East Europe, Warsaw Pact was dissolved in July 1991.It seems that era of making military alliances is over now.
Resolving Regional Conflicts:
After the re-emergence of détente in the second half of eighties, solution to regional conflicts has become possible. Both the USA and the USSR have been creating better conditions for a search for compromise, for dialogue between the conflicting sides in different regions. A good example for a responsible and well-balanced approach to the problem of setting regional conflicts is the signing of the Geneva accord of Afghanistan.
Irrelevance of the NAM:
As a result of the virtual end of the cold war and growing détente between the two superpower, the importance of the NAM has become irrelevance. It faces new challenges. Experts feel that new alignment in international relations call for a reappraisal of the movement that once served a valuable purpose of reinforcing the independence of the THIRD WORLD countries and enabled them to take decision on merit. Today, while Non-aligned movement, main concerns remain the same.
De-idealogisation of international Relations:
Ideologies socialism, communism, capitalism etc- are no longer the determining factors of foreign policy of the nations. In international relations ideological motivations have lost their relevance now, which played a very crucial role during cold war days. The so-called doctrines of "policy of expansionism "and "policy of the containment "now have become the subject of the history.
Unification of the Germany:
Another momentous and historic impact of détente was the unification of East and West Germany on October 3,1990 to form a new and powerful state. The union symbolizes the unity of East and West after 45 years of a double-faced experience. The foreign minister of four allied countries (USA.USSR, Britain, France), which defeated Germany in 1945, signed the treaty for unification. United Germany is now a force to be reckoned with economically, industrially and military.
Economic prosperity:
The massive amount spent, until recently, on the manufacture of armaments, procurement of weapons grade material and the entire arms industry, which has been flourishing for decades, are likely to be reduced and diverted to economic development. Nations, especially erstwhile socialist states are paying more attention toward solving their economic problems through liberalization and mechanism of free-market.
Impact on UNO.
Impact of superpower détente on the working of international organizations such as UNO is natural. The UN and its various forum are now free from superpowers rivalries, factionalism, tussle, confrontation, antagonism, etc. Courtesy and decency have supplanted acrimonious and hostile behavior.
CONCLUSION:
The decades long cold war reached at the highest peak, race of armament and militarisation reached at the extreme position. The cost of the arms race compelled to leaders of the both two superpower to think about the reduction of tension, distrust, misunderstanding, antagonism, confrontation and anxiety and also this cost had become heaviest burden on the economy of the superpowers. Both the superpowers admitted the principle of the peaceful Co-existence. The invention of the nuclear technology and experience of explosion in two cities of the Japan and threat of this mad race of nuclear brought about the era of the détente.
Détente is a landmark to reduce the tension, distrust, misunderstanding, confrontation, antagonism and anxiety. Détente opens up favorable prospect for the international cooperation on the solid basis of peaceful-coexistence. On a way to the road to the peace, the era of détente is marked by a continuation of effort by the superpower adversaries to relax tension, diminish distrust, and increase accommodation.
Détente has a major contribution to the world peace by reducing the danger and threat of the nuclear war and due to the détente, both superpower succeeded to develop goodwill, understanding and cooperation between them, which may gradually help in decreasing the intensity of the cold war conflict.
Nixon, President of USA, observes, peace is the by-product of "mutual respect for each others strength". He further described, " Our policy must combine deterrence with détente. Détente without deterrence leads to appeasement, and deterrence without détente leads to unnecessary confrontation and saps the will of Western peoples to support the arms budgets deterrence required"
The other main contribution of the détente to the world peace and stability especially to both superpowers, is the end of the decades longs tension, antagonism, anxiety, and confrontation of the ideological cold war. The Iron Curtain were lifted, the Berlin Wall was demolished, ideological blocs were collapsed, military alliances terminated, the struggle for expansion of the sphere of the influence contained clouds of the Third World war rolled by, the division of the Europe disappeared and solution of the many regional conflicts appeared possible.
Détente brings about the economic prosperity in the world. The futile expenditure on the armament minimized.
The world had got rid of the fake policies " policy of the expansionism "and "policy of the containment" of the cold war.
After the end of the cold war, world has become unipolar, derived by the lone superpower and then peace of the world is still big questionable?
Détente is end to the cold war. Both cold war and détente side by side thus we can say that both are contributory to each other.
Vladimir Petrev, U.S _SOVIET DÉTENTE: PAST AND FUTURE, April 18,1975,United State of America.
2Henry Kissenger, Diplomacy, p.733, 1998, New York
3 Op, cit
4 Henry Kissenger, Diplomacy, p.733, 1998, New York
5 ibid
6 Op,cit, Vladimir Petrev
7ibid
8 Vladimir Petrev. U.S-Soviet Détente Past and Future,. , April 18,1975,United State of America.
