The World Since 1945

The international history of the second half of the 20th century is a matter of interest and importance, both as a subject for academic study and for an understanding of the world around us. International institutions, the world economy, and predominant ideas and beliefs have all undergone profound changes. The author explains these matters through a combination of narrative, analysis and interpretation. The narrative section of the book traces three main themes. First, the Cold War: its origins and development; the coming of de tente; the new Cold War; and its ending in 1989-91. Second, the end of European hegemony in the rest of the world: decolonizations; the emergence of the Third World; the wars of succession in the Middle East and Asia; and the international politics of new states. Third, international society: international organizations of many different kinds; the world economy from Bretton Woods onwards; the roles of diplomacy, propaganda and public opinion. These themes are pursued in three chronological parts: 1945-1962, 1963-1979, and 1980-1991; in each of these, the Cold War and other aspects are kept in balance, and the links between them examined.
A concluding section discusses questions of continuity and change in the 1990. The analytical section considers underlying forces and movements at work in international affairs. It examines ideas and beliefs - the ideologies of communism and liberal democracy, nationalism and the idea of the nation-state, the re-emergence of religion as a force in international relations, concepts of human rights; economic forces - the role of the dollar, the influence of oil, the importance of Japan and the Pacific rim; and the nature of warfare - conventional, guerrilla and potential nuclear war, along with arms races of different kinds.