Andrew Heywood

Paper Summary:

This paper examines Andrew Heywood's analysis of political theory, explaining that it can be used to shed light on the main issues George F. Kennan was arguing in the late 40s and early 50s. Specifically, the paper examines how Kennan's line of thought regarding the Soviet Union, could be placed in a theoretical framework proposed by Heywood. The paper relates that, taking into account Heywood's theoretical framework, George Kennan can be seen as a realist, in light of the content of his "Long Telegram", and his subsequent article entitled "The origin of Soviet conduct". The paper concludes, however, that, still, globalization plays an essential role in shaping the international environment, an influence which makes certain considerations lose their relevance.

From the Paper:

"While during the confrontation, the relations between the three allies were seen as relatively stable and profitable for all sides, as the war came to an end serious concerns emerged over the real intentions of the actors involved in the conflagration. The most disturbing signal came from the Russian leader, Josef Stalin who had decided to take control of Eastern Europe and establish the communist system of government. (Kissinger, 1995) This perspective automatically ruled out the possibility of democracy in those states and therefore the threat of authoritarian regimes in Europe was becoming increasingly real. George Kennan, charge d'affaires in Moscow at the time considered a new approach for the foreign policy of the US, the containment doctrine, which advocated isolation from the rest of the world of the Soviet Union. In this sense, he believed, Stalin's need for conflict would not be met, and his internal legitimacy would in time erode which would eventually lead to the demise of the USSR."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Guzzini, Stefano. Realism in international relations and international political economy: the continuing story of a death foretold. Routledge: London, 1998.
• Heywood, Andrew. Key Concepts in Politics. Basingstoke: Palgrave, 2000.
• Kissinger, Henry. Diplomacy. London: Simon & Schuster, 1995.

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