Das sowjetische Koexistenz-Konzept - Grundlage eines friedlichen Verhältnisses zwischen Ost und West?
The Soviet Conception of Co-existence - a Basis for Peaceful East-West Relations?

Summary/Abstract: The author discusses the Soviet conception of co-existence as it was described in "Osteuropa", 11/1973 by M. Woslenskij. He points out the Soviet efforts to transform the widespread condemnation of war in the relations between East and West into acceptance of an East-West relations type favouring unilaterally the USSR. Moreover, his analysis shows that the Soviet concept of co-existence neither means peaceful relations between the different social systems nor generally implies prevention of any military action. It rather aims at preventing wars which bear the risk of a nuclear holocaust and at shifting the still pursued relentless struggle against the West to less dangerous fields which also promise better results to the Soviets. Their ideas are fixed on the gradual dissolution of the "capitalist system” and do not show any tolerance of the liberal-democratic system. The existence of asymmetric structures in East-West relations thought to strengthen and consolidate the Soviet conception of co-existence is an important reason why the Soviets feel themselves reassured in their attitude.

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