The Second Cold War
Carter, Reagan, and the Politics of Foreign Policy
Book •
Aaron Donaghy's 'The Second Cold War' examines the intensified US–Soviet confrontation from roughly 1979 to 1985 and how domestic political pressures influenced major foreign-policy shifts.
Drawing on recently declassified archival material, the book traces Carter's move from human-rights détente to a hawkish posture and Reagan's evolution from hardline anti-Communist to a negotiator seeking agreements with Moscow.
Donaghy emphasizes themes of credibility, risk, and timing, showing presidents balanced international strategy with electoral politics, public opinion, and congressional constraints.
The book also explores the role of mass peace movements and the dynamics that led from escalation to détente and eventual repair of US–Soviet relations.
It offers a revisionist account of how the late Cold War thaw began, foregrounding domestic factors in foreign-policy decision-making.
Drawing on recently declassified archival material, the book traces Carter's move from human-rights détente to a hawkish posture and Reagan's evolution from hardline anti-Communist to a negotiator seeking agreements with Moscow.
Donaghy emphasizes themes of credibility, risk, and timing, showing presidents balanced international strategy with electoral politics, public opinion, and congressional constraints.
The book also explores the role of mass peace movements and the dynamics that led from escalation to détente and eventual repair of US–Soviet relations.
It offers a revisionist account of how the late Cold War thaw began, foregrounding domestic factors in foreign-policy decision-making.
Mentioned by
Mentioned in 0 episodes
Mentioned by ![undefined]()
Luca Trenta
Aaron Donaghy, "The Second Cold War: Carter, Reagan, and the Politics of Foreign Policy" (Cambridge UP, 2021)
Mentioned by ![undefined]()
Luca Trenta
Aaron Donaghy, "The Second Cold War: Carter, Reagan, and the Politics of Foreign Policy" (Cambridge UP, 2021)
