Ideology and the Balance of Power

Abstract

The nature of ideology as a force behind national will and foreign policy, and the relationship of shifting ideologies in the balance of power between the United States and the U.S.S.R. are analyzed. Historical examples are cited to illustrate ideologically inspired efforts which have achieved major changes in power. Successes and failures in the struggles for power between the United States and the U.S.S.R. are considered in relation to the ebb and flow of prevailing ideologies. Democracies' inherent problems in marshalling ideology are discussed, along with the present failure of the United States to exploit Soviet weakness, and the relatively successful manipulation of ideology by the Soviets.