The Cold War and the Superpowers

Abstract

There are four separate aspects of United States foreign policy that one can always identify. One is the relations that are being constructed, either factual or ideological, with the superpower "enemy"—the Soviet Union and its bloc. Secondly, the set of relations being established with so-called allies—the First World of the industrialized capitalist countries. Thirdly, relations with the usual victims—the Third World countries. And fourthly, there is another class of victim—the domestic population. One significant feature of foreign policy is how it is constructed to deal with the problems posed by the domestic population, particularly if it is insufficiently apathetic or obedient.

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