The Strength of the Projected Union vis-à-vis Russia

Abstract

Soviet concern over the European Economic Community is recent. The Soviet critique reflects a mixture of dogma and realism. The doctrinal position is that the Common Market will not succeed because collaboration, inte gration, and unity on economic, political, and cultural levels are contrary to the nature of capitalism. Thus, the Soviet Union professes optimism about the long-range future but expresses concern about the present and visible future. The Soviet Union regards the Common Market as an attack against the standard of living of the European working class, as the basis of a new kind of colonialism, and as a force destructive of the sovereignties of the individual member states. A likely inference from Soviet statements is that Moscow fears that the Common Market will inhibit further Communist growth and social unrest in Western Europe. Further, there is apprehen sion that a common European consciousness will be generated. Also, the Soviets fear for their relations with the underde veloped world, notably Africa, which has become increasingly disposed to form associations of its own to deal both with the Soviet bloc and with the Common Market and the United States. The Soviets continue to believe in contradictions, gen eral crisis, and inevitable depression in the capitalist world, but they take cognizance of objective developments in the West. Thus, if the Western unification movements succeed, although their immediate effect may be to heighten tension, the long-run impact will probably be toward stability and rationality.—Ed.