Mutual Perceptions Of Long Range Goals

This book investigates perceptions—including strategic, normative and imagined perceptions—of long-range political goals both in the East and in the West, discussing the arguments which are used to support each of these perceptions.

First published in 1999, this book describes what the International community of scientific institutions could do to reverse this trend, by pooling its know-how and resources in International and interdisciplinary working groups and standing committees, by preparing options for action and by standing the possibilities for overcoming the political and economic obstacles to the implementation of expert advice. The reasons are given why neighboring groups of people sooner or later start fighting each other unless certain conditions are fulfilled. These conditions are enumerated. Historical examples are presented. Since lack of mutual trust, often based on inherited enemy images, is at the roots of many conflicts is shown how trust among former opponents can be created by working on joint projects, particularly when both sides are threatened by the same danger. In previous history this danger was often a common enemy. Today we must learn that all of mankind is threatened by environmental and other global problems which can only be mastered by joint efforts, forgetting the enmities of earlier generations. Furthermore, it is explained that many catastrophes could be avoided if risks were properly assessed and taken seriously and necessary precautions not avoided for financial reasons, just hoping for the best.

This volume contains information on the views held in various countries concerning what the future holds and what should be done, by each nation's own government as well as by the governments of the partner nations.

This study investigates Western views on the potential future developments in the U.S.S.R. It traces the facts, figures, fears and ideological prejudices that have contributed to the mutual mistrust between the East and the West over long-range political goals and recommends ways of reducing it.

1989 was by any standards an extraordinary year: the year in which the Cold War ended. However, although much has changed, much remains unresolved or not changed at all. Even though the rationale for the huge military forces has been removed from the East-West relationship, these forces still retain a tremendous potential to do harm. Moreover, threats to peace may grow along North-South and South-South axes. An example of such a threat is the rapid growth in size and sophistication of military arsenals in the South. The contributions to this volume make it clear that the problems of East and West, North and South are inter- twined. Security can be gained only through cooperation. The contributors, who come from widely differing geographical, cultural and political backgrounds, all share the Pugwash tradition of scientific objectivity.

Confidence Building Measures (CBMs) were pioneered in Europe at the height of the Cold War. The immediate goal of such measures is to create enough trust between parties in international conflicts to avoid mutually unfavourable-sometimes dangerous-outcomes due to misunderstandings. The long-term goal of CBMs is to move the contending parties closer

This book discusses the nature of cooperation, altruism and prosocial behaviour, and the factors that make their occurrence more likely.