The Warsaw Pact and International Relations - Research Paper Example

The Warsaw Pact and International Relations The study of International relations is entangled with interactions among international communities, countries, non-governmental organizations, and corporations. Analysts and researchers argue that, the field of International relations is much more concerned with a study of the reasons behind interactions among various groups of persons, states and organizations. With the developments in the systems of governance around the world, it was considered obvious that human beings develop a mechanism of interaction and proper communication among the various groups of people. This can arguably, be interpreted to mean that, International relations has a long history that dates back to development of humankind. Furthermore, as people endeavored to interact and develop their systems, there was a need for them to meet and share ideas on various concepts that relate to peaceful coexistence among them. With time the concept of International relations became too wide and had to be studied on a broad point of view. In fact, in the latter centuries, the field had to include the presence of diplomats to intervene in cases that were of importance between the countries or related parties. In the case of this essay, International relations will be highlighted in the context of examining the Warsaw Pact, in an endeavor to look at the reasons behind the formation of the same and the implications on global issues. The Warsaw Pact can only be understood on an international relations point of view, by assessing the states and organizations that were implicated by this agreement and the results that emanated from signing the agreement by the involved parties. The essay shall also aim at assessing the strengths and weaknesses of the agreement on an International relations point of view and if its existence was of importance or was just a formality among the involved stakeholders. The Warsaw Pact dates back to May 1955, with its founding members having the idea, that it would be beneficial if they founded a counteractive move on the North Atlantic Alliance. The major proponents of the organization include the USSR, Bulgaria, Poland, Romania, Czechoslovakia, Hungary and Albania. These members had the idea that, for stability to be achieved in Europe, it would be of great importance to come up with an organization that would match the activities and powers of North Atlantic Alliance that was to be the Warsaw Pact Organization. However, on another angle, analysts argue that the formation of the Warsaw Pact Organization was of no match to NATO. The major drawbacks that Warsaw Pact faced have a great relationship with breaching the stipulations of the organization’s rules. In relation to this work, nevertheless it is vital to make plain of the fact that, in times of disparities in Europe, the Warsaw Pact played a major role in breaking the barriers that saw NATO almost enjoy total dominance in Europe. In fact, other analysts regard to the Warsaw pact as a form of a stabilizer that came in at the right time in the global arena. On another angle, it was in February, 1991 that the members of the Warsaw Pact decided to come together to come up with a permanent solution in regard to the issue on Cold War. However, as Windsor (pp.105) indicates, USSR had worked towards anticipation of a withdrawing from the Warsaw Pact. With this held at Budapest, it is evident that there were numerous attempts by the concerned stakeholders to come up with a final decision regarding the dominion of USSR in Europe. This relates to the concept of International relations that related to the aspect of the need to come up with a long lasting solution that would allow the states have peaceful coexistence in the continent. Without the incorporation of meetings by the concerned parties, it is almost impossible for persons to coexist in the society. This explains the reasons behind then setting up of the Warsaw Pact. On another angle, the Warsaw Pact can be indicated to be one of the measures that worked towards alleviating the likelihood of a disaster occurrence in Europe (Kolodziej, pp.112). Some analysts and researchers argue that, the Warsaw Pact can be described as an accord of friendship that resulted to cooperation and support among the concerned parties. It is even worth to note that the Warsaw Pact came in at the right time to stop a future occurrence of conflicts in the future. The Soviet Union had for a long time enjoyed monopoly by manufacturing of guns and ammunitions that saw the implementation of the policies of the Warsaw Pact with its military commands coming from Moscow. Mastny (pp.95) indicates that the Warsaw Pact could not operate without a committee that would lead to the organization’s consultation on its issues and matters. International relations allows for consultations that can only be possible with the inclusion of representative bodies for consultation purposes. In the case of the Warsaw Pact, the Consultative Committee would be useful for discussion of matters that relate to the progress of the organization. Through such committees, the organization was in a position to discuss matters that related to military viability of the organization, and the measures to undertake in the case of breaching the terms and conditions of the organization. This can only be discussed within the confines of International relations; or rather this theme has a lot to do with International relations, as was of concern not only to specific states, but also to the international community. Mastny (pp.95) also continues to argue that, the Warsaw Pact was always on the move to launch an attack on West Europe. However, other analysts argue that Warsaw Pact was no match to NATO that seemed to be much more prepared in terms of military ability and potency of launching an attack on its opponents. From the discussion above the point that is clear cut is that there is a dire need to put this matter under scrutiny in the course of International relations. This concurs to the preamble of this essay that indicated that all players in the International community have to come in and converse on the factors that are likely to come to a conclusion on the diplomatic coexistence in the community. It is through International relations that, parties concerned with the peaceful coexistence in Europe came in with a solution on the instability in Europe. The merging of various member states that were of concern with the Warsaw and NATO is a clear indication of the fact that, concern was being put on the international issues that pertain to the stability of the region. This is a clear application of the International relations concepts. Kolodziej (pp.112) argues that there were security concerns that came in with the introduction of the Warsaw Pact in the international issues. It is in this case that member states are much more concerned with the fact that, a union of member states would enable simplify the situation in the region. The functions of the Warsaw Pact can be studied and understood within the confines of international relations. At first there were numerous doubts on whether the Warsaw Pact would stand the test of time. Salmon (pp.36) indicates that the Warsaw Pact was responsible for coming up with peaceful coalitions and defend the member states from attacks that would result from misunderstandings in the quest to express the varying views that each party holds. The move to ensure security and defense was conducted in such a manner that the member states were barred from joining any other alliance for purposes of coalition or any form of assistance either in terms of military assistance or financial. To alleviate such occurrences, the organization ensured it arms were of assistance to all the member states, therefore, a great percentage of the member states were in a position to understand what was required of them as member states. An application of the operation of the Warsaw Pact has a lot to do with International relations. This is in line to the characteristics of the International relations that requires an understanding between the members concerned to foster peace and stability in the continent. Meetings held with the agenda of working on these attributes have a lot to do with peaceful coexistence in the region, inclusive of all the concerned stakeholders. Jackson & Sorensen (pp.310) indicate that as a result of the Warsaw Pact, Russia was in a better position to send its military officials in the various parts of the countries that were in the Eastern part of Europe. In this case, therefore, the member states were comfortable with the fact that they were able to launch an attack on the Western part of Europe with a lot of ease. This interprets the fact that, the Warsaw Pact saw the members build confidence in its leadership and that all forms of rebellion in its members could be suppressed with immediate effect. The field of International relations is much more concerned with peaceful coexistence of various groups of people in the organization. Peaceful coexistence can be described as the ability of individuals, states to live with each other despite their differences. In essence the entire concept can, in brief terms be described as containing each others differences and finding means of survival in times of issues and when the impossibilities far much outweigh the possibilities. Other analysts argue that in the quest to survive in the difficult circumstances in the society, different organizations are pit in place so as to fight for the needs of various groups of people. The most important aspect is that all the parties concerned in the relations devise a means of survival and recognize the other party’s space in the entire situation. In relation to the Warsaw Pact, the major cause of operation was to come up with a form of compromise between USSR and USA on the question of Cold War. Both groups opted to come up with mechanisms to defend their sides against the war. Studies indicate that in as much by the year 1955 the war was in no way about to ease, the form of tension between the two forces was on the rise and that a form of survival mechanisms had to be devised to cope with the situation. Both forces had a chance to express their thoughts and exercise any form of rule or strategies on the survival of the member states’ in the thorny and crucial moment. In one way or another, the Warsaw Pact can be described to create a form of coexistence and survival mechanism for the concerned parties though, on what some analysts would argue negative relations of the Warsaw Pact. All in all, the major area of concern is that both parties took part incoming up with a solution to the protection of their member states from a possible harassment from their allies. The Warsaw Pact was structured various factions that related to coming up with bilateral agreements that related to the USSR issue. It is evident that the Soviet Union went through a myriad of challenges that led to the creation of a system that would deal with the challenges faced. In response, the Soviet Union had to constitute policies with its Defence Ministry and the rest of its staff members that would be useful in handling the situation at hand. This move was to ensure that the Soviet Union would at all times be prepared to launch an attack on its opponents at all times. All the means that would be useful in successfully leading the Warsaw Pact Organization were put in place and carefully scrutinized to carry out successful follow up on the organization’s Defence team. The Warsaw Pact, has also, over the years has been credited for its ability to train its members on issues that pertain to the success of the organization. For all organizations to be successful, the rules of International relations indicate that organizations must come together and share ideas on successful operations of the organization. The Warsaw Pact Organization is a good example of practical application of the basics of International relations in an organization. The operations of the organization, according to Jackson & Sorensen (pp.311) saw the creation of boards and committees that not only coordinated activities in the organization, but always endured that the members of the association are well trained on the suitable measures to apply in the course of interaction with other members of the organization. Studies indicate that the Warsaw Pact Organizations saw its developments from the constant consultations meetings held frequently enough especially if there was need to come up with urgent solutions regarding members of a particular state. Conclusively, the Warsaw Pact would be of relevance to any discussion regarding international relations. In relation to the discussion it is almost inevitable for conflicts to be avoided among members of different states and organizations. This relates to the concepts behind the formation of the Warsaw Pact that acted as counter mechanism of the NATO. It is also important to note that the Warsaw Pact took the multinational approach to defend its member states. International relations comes in as, there was a dire need for both sides to come up with best alliances that would champion for their rights through representation and provision of protective mechanisms from counter attacks. The field of International relations indicates that coexistence in the society emanates from the fact that the living together in the society is an art that needs to be learnt by all the concerned parties in the society. At times, both parties in the society have to devise mechanisms that will lead to peaceful coexistence in the society. Living together in the society requires coming up with institutions and agreements on the members’ peaceful coexistence. On the other hand, the concerned parties may be required to go through a series of financial expenses so as to deal with the demands for updating their systems and being in a position to match with the opponents’ mechanisms. In the case of the Warsaw Pact, the member states had to ensure that they provide all its member states with protection, in terms of military protection from its counter organization, NATO. Warsaw Pact has indeed created a major landmark in the field of History and International relations. An introduction to International relations would benefit the students a great mile in the discussions of the confines and operations of International relations. The Warsaw Pact indicates a clear move by its founding members to come up with a counteractive move on North Atlantic Alliance. Educators would benefit the learners go through a reflective Approach in the case of the Warsaw Pact Organization. The students of International relations would also attempt to assess the successes and weaknesses of the Warsaw Pact and if the topic is of great relevance in the study of the founding strategies of the International relations. The learners may go through a process of assessing the major players in the organization and if the players were able to allow the other survive in the society. Works cited Jackson, Robert. & Sorensen, Georg. Introduction to International Relations: Theories And Approaches. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2007. Print. Kolodziej, Edward. Security and International Relations. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2005.Print. Mastny, Vojtech. A cardboard castle? An inside history of the Warsaw Pact, 1955-1991. London: Central European University Press, 2005. Print. Salmon, Trevor. Issues in international relations. London: Routledge, 2000. Print. Windsor, Philip. & Berdal, Mats. Studies in International Relations: Essays by Philip Windsor. New York: Sussex Academic Press, 2002. Print. Read More