global politics

The International System and the Cold War

The topic for this paper is the structure of the international system during the Cold War era: What kinds of conflict prevailed and why? What role did nuclear weapons play? Choose one policy or strategy developed during the Cold War; present the policy or strategy and discuss its connection to nuclear weapons, the structure of the system in the cold war and how it impacted conflict.

Your paper should do the following:

- Clearly explain the policy or strategy you decide upon

- Clearly explain the structure of the international system in place

- Discuss clearly the rationale behind the policy or strategy

- Discuss clearly how the policy or strategy addressed conflict and the nuclear threat

- Use at least 1 outside source other than outside readings and the course text

Technical Instructions:

- Your paper should be 3-4 pages long, double spaced using Times New Roman font size 12 pt.

- Margins should be no larger than 1” on the sides and 1.5” top and bottom.

- Do not use headers or footers in your document.

- It is not necessary to include a title page, which wastes paper, rather include your name and title your paper in the center of the first page of your document.

- Page numbers should be included in the lower right corner.

Be sure to cite appropriately and to adhere to the Fatal Flaw Policy available online via Course Documents in Blackboard.

Examples of Policies Suitable for this Assignment:

Détente

Limited War

Proxy War

Containment

Isolationism

Nuclear Stockpiling

Library Sources:

Articles and Databases

CQ Historic Document Series – Defense, Security and Military Affairs

CQ Researcher – Defense and National Security

EBSCO Search Premiere –Military and Government Documents

Suggested Websources:

http://www.wilsoncenter.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=topics.home&topic_id=1409 – Wilson Center Cold War History Project

http://www.gwu.edu/~nsarchiv/ - National Security Archive, George Washington University

http://www.fas.harvard.edu/~hpcws/documents.htm - Cold War Studies at Harvard University Document Archive