How Did the Cold War Die? Principles for an Autopsy

Abstract

This review examines a number of the factors currently advanced to explain why the Cold War died. It focuses first on the interpretations posed by political realists from the right because they have received such widespread publicity, and because they illustrate the logical and empirical limitations of premature conclusions about the causes of the Cold War's death. This discussion is followed by a description of possible rival causes. The review ends with a consideration of the principles of inquiry social science methodology advances and suggests ten guidelines for distinguishing between truth and illusion, fact and fantasy.