Convergence and Cold War, 1953–1964 (1) (The Routledge Global 1960s and 1970s Series)

Synopsis

The academic debate in Western social science about the growing “convergence” or similarities between American and Soviet society acquired political significance in the diverse relationships that made up the global Cold War. Convergence and Cold War, 1953–1964 explores the consequences and challenges of convergence through a discussion of U.S.–Soviet relations, Sino-Soviet relations, and East–South relations.The book argues that the debate about convergence was a debate about the character of the broader Cold War itself, and the background to the more recent experience of contemporary globalization and its shared practices and norms. The volume begins by addressing how Americans debated the prospect of a less threatening socialist world shaped by the challenges of industrial modernity, while the Soviets hoped to imitate Western standards of living alongside developing supposedly more elevated forms of consumption, leisure, culture, trade, and economic exchange. The second section analyzes the way supporters of Chairman Mao in China associated the socialist bloc’s engagement with the West as an example of its deterioration and dangerous abandonment of socialist values and practices. The closing chapters examine how the Chinese communicated their frustration with the Soviets and East Europeans to postcolonial states in the Global South. Jersild unpacks this through a case study of Guinea-Conakry, which posed questions about the common practices and policies of the superpowers.This volume is a valuable resource to students and scholars of the Cold War and International Relations, as well as all those interested in postcolonial studies and the history of globalization.

Copyright:

2026

Book Details

Book Quality:

Publisher Quality

Book Size:

224 Pages

ISBN-13:

9781040413111

Related ISBNs:

9781040413074, 9781032691985, 9781032691930

Publisher:

Taylor & Francis

Date of Addition:

07/31/25

Copyrighted By:

Austin Jersild. The right of Austin Jersild to be identified as author of this work has been asserted in accordance with sections

Adult content:

No

Language:

English

Has Image Descriptions:

No

Categories:

History, Nonfiction

Submitted By:

Bookshare Staff

Usage Restrictions:

This is a copyrighted book.