Conclusion: The Cold War Between Human Rights and Security

Abstract

The aim of this book has been to gain an understanding of the Western alliance’s involvement in the Polish crisis of the early 1980s. Why, in the context of the Cold War, did the allies bother so much about a domestic political struggle in the ‘enemy camp’? And why did the struggle in Poland almost bring the alliance to breaking point? The explanation is twofold. Firstly, the crisis in the Western camp should be understood in terms of a conflict between two different conceptions of appropriate action. However, on its own this is not sufficient to explain the seriousness of the crisis – we must also look at the nature of the Western alliance and the values and norms embedded in its political culture. With regard to decision making, these values and norms not only excluded the use of force, they also required consensual decision making with equal respect for the views all of the participating parties. The breaching of these norms triggered adverse reactions in France and Britain. Thus, the Polish crisis and the Western responses to it serve as an example of how international relations are governed by norms. The Cold War cannot be understood simply as a process of strategic moves aimed at maintaining the balance of power. While national security concerns were important during the Cold War, other factors also influenced Western policy makers.