In 'The War of Nerves', Martin Sixsmith uses the tools of psychoanalysis to illuminate events and motivations
Josef Stalin’s cynicism and paranoia, and the tougher line taken by Franklin Roosevelt’s successor, Harry Truman, ensured that the good relations at the Yalta conference of February 1945 had soured five months later at Potsdam. There, mutual suspicion and facts on the ground paved the way for the carving up of Europe.
There have been many histories of the cold war, but the virtue and originality of Mr Sixsmith’s is to see almost every aspect of the stand-off in psychological terms. Deranged Stalin, volatile, bombastic Nikita Khrushchev, plodding, insecure Leonid Brezhnev, Mikhail Gorbachev’s desperate optimism—he sketches the leaders’ states of mind, and the means used to stimulate fear of “the other”.
At every point the two sides were intent on demonstrating the superiority of their systems. The Soviet launch of the Sputnik satellite sent shockwaves through Washington; an agreement in 1959 to put on exhibitions in each other’s countries, showcasing economic and social achievements, backfired on Khrushchev when Muscovites were stunned by a gadget-laden American kitchen. Art, film and music were enlisted and exploited.
He laments the swift dashing of hopes that liberal democracy would take root in post-Soviet Russia. In large part he blames the West for triumphalism. Trampling over Russian sensibilities and pride, he thinks, helped ensure that the chaotic Yeltsin era gave way to the revanchism of Vladimir Putin and his gang of kleptocratic. In Mr Sixsmith’s view, such psychological factors have once again contributed to a tragic outcome.
Could the aftermath of the “war of nerves” have been happier? Mr Sixsmith also says that contrasting histories and national psyches would anyway have inclined America and Russia to divergent paths—one animated by the ideas of sturdy individualism and the rule of law, the other defined by autocracy and the collective efforts it demands. For all the differences in the two rivalries, something similar may now be true of America and China.
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Why Martin Scorsese Needed Convincing to Direct 'Cape Fear'Scorsese explained to ET in 1991 how Robert De Niro and Steven Spielberg convinced him to direct the psychological thriller.
Read more »
Facts about celebrity chef James Martin: his house, girlfriend and chat with QueenAll about James Martin's Saturday Morning star James Martin: the celebrity chef's home, if he's married and the time he chatted dogs with the Queen
Read more »
Cinematographer Piotr Sobocinski Creates Trapped Characters in Murder Story ‘Hyacinth’ – CamerimageIn setting the frame for the Cold War Poland thriller “Operation Hyacinth” – which plays in the Polish Films Competition section of this week’s EnergaCamerimage Film Festival – cinematographe…
Read more »
Consulting giant McKinsey profits off both sides of U.S.-China cold warGlobal consulting giant McKinsey & Co.’s work with both the Pentagon and Chinese state-owned enterprises poses a potential risk to national security that federal agencies can no longer ignore, lawmakers and critics say.
Read more »
‘Obi-Wan Kenobi’: Ewan McGregor & EP Deborah Chow Tease New ‘Star Wars’ Series On Disney+ DayDisney confirmed that it’s definitely dropping Star Wars series Obi-Wan Kenobi on Disney+ next year, with the series to take place following the events of Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith. No s…
Read more »