Failure of foresight: had the Cold War more than one origin?

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to recall, with specific developments in international relations, how the major powers failed to avoid prolonged political conflict that teetered for a half‐century on the brink of war.

Design/methodology/approach

Evocation of developments tending to confirm reciprocal hostility instead of cooperation between partners in international enterprise.

Findings

Foresight and determination, often translatable into expression of trust, may ensure the success of an undertaking. The Cold War, with its political as well as psychological origins, was not such a case.

Research limitations/implications

The period's history, now already detailed, remains incomplete. This paper is an effort to supplement other reconstructions.

Originality/value

Planners, strategists and designers may profit from the material reviewed to avoid hostile interpretation by partners in future efforts of combined initiative.

Citation

Richardson, J. (2010), "Failure of foresight: had the Cold War more than one origin?", Foresight, Vol. 12 No. 1, pp. 67-78. https://doi.org/10.1108/14636681011020173