Cold War Dynamics
Government 280
Fall 1998
Final Assignment
You are at an (all expenses paid) international youth conference in Vienna. The time is now. The conference theme is the future of the international system. You're with a group of delegates at a kaffeehaus, blissing out on Viennese pastry and coffee, when someone says to everyone around the table: "Do we understand the past well enough to be able to conceive of the future? For example, how well do we understand the Cold War? What was it all about anyway?"
You answer: "It's taking Ted Turner 24 weeks to explain it, and since we don't have that kind of time, how I just explain it from my own perspective?"
At this point, a grand cacophony breaks out. To quiet things down, you all agree to discuss the underlying dynamics of the Cold War with the person on your left. You may choose your nationality (American, Russian, German, Chinese, etc.). The only condition is that you cannot be from the same country. You should assume that the person to whom you are speaking is equally knowledgable in international relations, and that both of you understand English perfectly.
You may write this up as a monologue or dialogue. You may share observations with each other (although this is not obligatory).
This write-up should be about five-pages in length (@1500 words), although if the muse seizes you, write as much as you want. This final essay is due on the last day of class, Tuesday, December 8th. You may hand it in later without penalty, but if it is later than noon on the 14th you will receive a temporary N grade. If you hand in this assignment after the 8th, bring it to Dr. Wrightson's office (520-ICC) or to the receptionist at the Department of Government on the 6th floor of ICC.
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