Interdependence and its relations with the superpowers

What is interdependence?

A foreign policy doctrine recognising that the world had become increasingly interconnected and that shared global challenges outweighed traditional class struggles.

What were the key things about interdependence?

• It recognised that nations rely on each other economically, politically and for global security.

• It was based on the idea that global problems required shared solutions and not domination.

• It wanted relationships based on trust, transparency and shared responsibility.

What were the controversies with interdependence?

• Kremlin saw cooperation as a weakness.

• Partnership would allow western influences to infiltrate the Eastern bloc.

• Hardliners believe that the USSR should not rely on the US for security.

• It weakened control over satellite states.

• Gorbachev would have to abandon traditional soviet global leadership.

Why did the USSR need interdependence?

• Military spending was crippling their economy.

• They needed access to Western technology, trade and investment.

• Confrontation with the USA had become too expensive to sustain.

• Gorbachev needed international stability to make internal reform as possible.

What are the examples of why the USSR needed interdependence?

• Geneva summit (1985).

• Reykjavik summit (1986).

• Washington summit (1987).

• Moscow summit (1988).

When was the Geneva summit?

November 1985

What were the positives of the Geneva summit?

• They both agreed to limiting and eliminating nuclear weapons.

• Chemical weapons would be banned.

What were the negatives of the Geneva Summit?

• The summit would cause tension because of Reagan’s strategy of the SDI.

• There was no concrete agreement which resulted in the Washington and Moscow summit.

When was the Reykjavik summit?

October 1986

What were the positives of the Reykjavik summit?

• Both sides wanted arms reduction.

• The summit gave them both insights into each other.

• The INF Treaty was signed a year later which paved the way for further arm reductions.

What were the negatives of the Reykjavik summit?

There was no clear result or joint statement at its conclusion.

When was the Washington summit?

December 1987

What were the positives of the Washington summit?

• It’s the most significant step taken by the superpowers to bring the arms race to the end.

• It ended the use of intermediate-range ballistic and cruise missles.

• It’s viewed as a success and the point where the Cold War truly ended.

What were the negatives of the Washington summit?

• The USSR made no demands that it should be able to retain 100 SS-20 missiles as defence against China.

• The USSR accepted that British and French nuclear weapons need to not be apart of the deal.

When was the Moscow summit?

May-June 1988

What were the positives of the Moscow summit?

• The Soviets were pleased of Reagan due to his themes about freedom.

• They signed 7 agreements about human rights like fishing rights and student exchange programs.

What are the negatives of the Moscow summit?

The objective was originally about the superpowers agreeing to the Strategic Arms Reductions Treaty but it was shifted towards human rights which made the content of the summit unimportant.