on allied cohesion. Among them were the rising protectionism in trade, European-American dirferences in monetary and tiscaJ politics, and diverging approaches to the problem of dependence on imported energy. It was argued that trade bet ween the US and EC is less important a problem than investment and technologieal
... A coherenl policy .
cooperation .
With respect to energy-dependence, Western Europe messes improved 'political relations wilh OPEC and considers the gas pipeline deal with the Sovietunion as a welcome diversification of energy imports . Americans are seriously
concerned about the impact the latter deal may have on Westeuropean seeurity. As far as Middle-East oil is concerned, they tend to emphasize the need for an ability to proteet the flow of oil against eventual Soviet efforts to disrupt it. Brief attention was given also to the competing interests and divergent approaches with respect to relations with developing countries. It was feit by many, however, that these issues and differences were peripheral rather than central to the problem of maintaining aBied cohesion in the eighties. Still, participants were strongly urged not to underestimate the impact
economie divergences cDuld have on allied cohesion . International economie relations are on-
Iy part of serious eeonomic problems, such as inflation and unemployment, facing the allies . Among them, energy also is related to the maintenance of se-
than of suggesting solutions. Among the approaches to be changed, I would like to suggest them on four levels.
I. ehanging the inteBectual approach Underlyi ng European-American divergencies, has been a change in the intelleetual dimate on both sides of the Atlantic. Intelleetuals on both sides have contributed to be con fusion by generalized mutuaJ condemnations and the promotion of negative images of the American politicaJ system or European pacifism. Debates on European-American relati-
ons, dĂŠtente, security or nuclear weapons are increasingly characterised by the persistenee of emotional irritation and intolerance, and the absence of rationality and willingness to change one's mind. Intelleetuals should see it as their primary task to restore rationality of argument and darity of anaJysis. 2. The responsibilities of political parties Basic support for the alliance and for
curity in a more narrow sensc. Econo-
the political order for which it stands
mic difticulties may thus create a dima-
can be maintained only, as long as the main democratic politicaJ parties are willing tO understand and respect the limits to be observed in a democratic order. It cannOt be denied that polarization in political opinions, has led same of them lO treaspass these limits. The emp-
lC,
which induces allies to adopt diver-
gent policies towards dĂŠtente, the Middle-East and in times of crisis, th us negatively affeeting their neeessary cohesion. Participants, tinaBy, briefly discussed the divergencies in public attitudes and governmentaJ policies with respect to the promotion of human rights. Throughout the discussion, the Western reactions to developments in Poland ca-
hasis on "ideological differences" in systems tends lO ignore the far more real distinctions between pluralist democracies and politica! parties to help reestablishing essential consensus on the vaJues and Iimits of pluralist democracy.
me up at regular intervaJs. lts was argu-
ed that Western reaction should be flexible and coherent. More priority is to be given to an approach which com-
bines immediate humanitarian assistance, long-range conditionaJ help, and the
dissuasion of military intervention through the threat of eeonomic sanctions if it occurs.
IV. WiJl cooperation endure? The future of European-American relations and the endurance of cooperation
is a maller of choice rat her than a subjeet for academic foreeast. It is, also, more a maller of changing approaches
14
3. The approaches of govemments With respect lO the need to maintain aJlied cohesion, national governmems have failed in at least two areas. They have failed, in many instances, in their task lO inform their eleetorates adequately about the reaJity of the inter-
national situation and the dilemma's of allied seeurity. They have equaJly failed in their understanding of the psychology of mutual contidence in aJlied relations. The tirst failure and the resulting popular disbelief in the "establishment" can be
overcome only. if governments and
policy-makers muster the courage to inform and explain what they know, rather than seleet or avoid what is Iiked or disliked by some. The second failure can be overcome onIy if governments and policy-makers re-
introduce a measure of self-restraint in public declarations, whenever mutuaJ contidence might suffer from them. 4. The need for a coherent stmtegy The Alliance has been created and re-
mains necessary, primarily for maintai¡ ning collective security. It requires an ongoing discussion aimed at the elaboration of a more coherent strategy tO achieve credible security in the eighties, adequate strength in defence, moderation in policies. initiatives in arms-control negOliations, and broad popular support for these common efforts. In order tO perform these essential tasks, partners should lower their voices on issues - often peripheral - where mutuaJ irritation may undermine necessary allied confidence.