THE POLITICAL BACKGROUND OF THE RAPACKI PLAN OF 1957 AND ITS CURRENT SIGNIFICANCE

In: International journal of politics: a journal of translations, Band 13, Heft 1-2, S. 117-136

Abstract

THIS PAPER DISCUSSES A POLITICAL SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM OF EUROPEAN SECURITY. THE SECURITY PROBLEMS WHICH THE SOVIETIZATION OF EASTERN EUROPE CAUSES THE USSR ARE DESCRIBED, AND AN ALTERNATIVE POLICY FOR EASTERN EUROPEAN SECURITY--FINLANDIZATION--IS DISCUSSED. THE IDEA OF A NUCLEAR FREE ZONE IN EUROPE, AND THE REACTION OF THE US AND THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY TO THIS IDEA ARE REVIEWED. THE PROBLEM OF GERMAN UNITY REMAINS A KEY TO TURNING EUROPEAN POLITICS IN A NEW DIRECTION. THE EFFECT OF THE NATO MODERNIZATION IN BLOCKING A SOLUTION TO THE EUROPEAN SECURITY PROBLEM IS ALSO DISCUSSED.