In George Kennan’s Thesis “The Sources of Soviet Conduct”, Kennan addresses four key points explaining the motives and forces behind the behavior of the Soviet Union around 1947 and the impacts of this on the Soviet and the reactions of the US.
Kennan identifies that the political nature of the Soviet Union is a product of Marxist/ communist ideology. A view that revolution, lead by the working class would overthrow the economically weak and exploitive, capitalist system and replace it with an equal, classless society. Kennan points in the overthrow of the Tsarist government and resulting social and economic strife faced after the Bolshevik Revolution as the foundations of the faulted ‘communist system’. Marxism focus on the overthrow …show more content…
Kennan regards the Soviet Union as still rooted in Marxist ideology, but to strengthen the power and status. Consequently, international relations between the Soviet Union and other states have become hostile and fraught with secretiveness about internal policies and other weaknesses, to keep states such as the US wary of their power. Thus Kennan deduces that polarity between American and Soviet ideologies means that co-operation between the two superpowers would be unlikely for some time. The infallibility of the Kremlin, and the nature of the oppressive rule led to insecurity and a need to strengthen power through the exploitation of the population, manipulation of truths, installation of fear and propaganda. Thus, there was no great push for another, global revolution. A failure would display Soviet weakness, a counter-revolutionary act. Instead the Soviet’s applied patience in the slow yet constant expansion of power. On one hand, making it vulnerable to strong political force. But on the other making a single event unlikely to overthrow the Soviet system. Kennan concludes that this can only be countered by long-term, steady policies similar to the Soviet itself. The US must exercise patience, firmness and …show more content…
Significantly, Kennan points to the harsh realities of life under the repressive rule of Stalin for the Russian population. The use of propaganda, deceit and fear has led to disillusionment both internally and internationally, about the attraction of Soviet rule. Thus, our only emapthies shoudld live with Soviet society people who has lost their freedom, hope, energy and rights under the Soviet regime; to the extent that the notion of a safe and secure home environment is foreign. As a result, the weakned Soviet economy is slow, dated and vulnerable particularly in industrilaisation. In addition, the Communist party itself lacks organization and a concentration of power at the top, adding to the vulnerability and inefficiency of life under Soviet rule. Thus, Kennan paints a bleak outlook for Soviet future, once which appears is already in
Kennan identifies that the political nature of the Soviet Union is a product of Marxist/ communist ideology. A view that revolution, lead by the working class would overthrow the economically weak and exploitive, capitalist system and replace it with an equal, classless society. Kennan points in the overthrow of the Tsarist government and resulting social and economic strife faced after the Bolshevik Revolution as the foundations of the faulted ‘communist system’. Marxism focus on the overthrow …show more content…
Kennan regards the Soviet Union as still rooted in Marxist ideology, but to strengthen the power and status. Consequently, international relations between the Soviet Union and other states have become hostile and fraught with secretiveness about internal policies and other weaknesses, to keep states such as the US wary of their power. Thus Kennan deduces that polarity between American and Soviet ideologies means that co-operation between the two superpowers would be unlikely for some time. The infallibility of the Kremlin, and the nature of the oppressive rule led to insecurity and a need to strengthen power through the exploitation of the population, manipulation of truths, installation of fear and propaganda. Thus, there was no great push for another, global revolution. A failure would display Soviet weakness, a counter-revolutionary act. Instead the Soviet’s applied patience in the slow yet constant expansion of power. On one hand, making it vulnerable to strong political force. But on the other making a single event unlikely to overthrow the Soviet system. Kennan concludes that this can only be countered by long-term, steady policies similar to the Soviet itself. The US must exercise patience, firmness and …show more content…
Significantly, Kennan points to the harsh realities of life under the repressive rule of Stalin for the Russian population. The use of propaganda, deceit and fear has led to disillusionment both internally and internationally, about the attraction of Soviet rule. Thus, our only emapthies shoudld live with Soviet society people who has lost their freedom, hope, energy and rights under the Soviet regime; to the extent that the notion of a safe and secure home environment is foreign. As a result, the weakned Soviet economy is slow, dated and vulnerable particularly in industrilaisation. In addition, the Communist party itself lacks organization and a concentration of power at the top, adding to the vulnerability and inefficiency of life under Soviet rule. Thus, Kennan paints a bleak outlook for Soviet future, once which appears is already in