This book examines Soviet Foreign Policy towards East Germany in the late 1980s. By focusing on the complex interaction between domestic political thought and developments in the international system, the author illustrates the hierarchical relationship between the GDR and the USSR and offers different perspectives for understanding Soviet foreign policy. The books demonstrates that shifts in Soviet policy towards the GDR stemmed, on the one hand, from the international level, in that Soviet security was legitimated by the existence of two full-fledged German states, and, on the other, may be best explained in terms of ideas and Gorbachev's new political philosophy.

Explains the factors that determined shifts in Soviet policy towards East Germany in the late 1980s Sheds new light on the hierarchical relationship between the GDR and the USSR Seeks to bridge international relations (IR), comparative politics and Soviet and German studies Includes supplementary material: sn.pub/extras

Autorentext
Achilleas Megas holds a PhD degree from University of Leeds School of Politics and International Studies (2006) and a Masters degree in International Studies European Organisation, Diplomacy and Economics. He has participated in numerous international conferences with papers and he has published for ECPR workshops on international studies and politics.

Inhalt
Preface.-1 Introduction.- 2 The Politics of Economy.- 3 Stating Policy Towards the GDR.- 4 The Interplay of Interactive Structures.- 5 Who Generates Policy?.- 6 Structures of Differentiation: The Split.- 7 Multiple Political Rivalry: Meaning and Significance.- 8 The Paradox of Policy Restructuring.- 9 Conclusion.- Index.