Which Socialism? Whose Detente? West European Communism and the Czechoslovak Crisis of 1968

Maud Bracke’s book examines West European communist parties’ reactions to the 1968 Czechoslovak crisis, exploring divergent political strategies and debates about détente during the Cold War. Drawing on party archives and contemporary sources, the work analyzes how different national contexts shaped communist responses and internal conflicts.

It situates these debates within broader shifts in European left politics and international relations of the era.

The book highlights tensions between reformist and orthodox currents in communist parties and the impact of the Czechoslovak events on party legitimacy and alignments.

Overall, it contributes to understanding Cold War European communism and transnational political networks.