Overview

This study takes a radical new approach to the study of propaganda and foreign policy. It moves beyond previous state-dominated, 'top-down' studies by exploring the engagement with and mobilization of American society and culture in the Cold War. Redefining the relationship between the State and private groups in American Foreign Relations, this new book examines the origins of public diplomacy in the early cold war period, challenging previous historiography, which has seen relationships between the Private groups and the State as being dictated by the latter. This collection continually questions this assumption, exploring the extent to which private groups were able to maintain their own independence and autonomy within the State-private network. It is strongly supported by a series of valuable new case studies, which analyze relationships between the state and women's groups, religious groups, labour, internationalist groups, intellectuals, media and students, in which the contributors explore the construction of a State-private network. This collection also explores the construction of a State-private network by the US government and private groups not only as a practical method of communication and dissemination of information or propaganda, but also as an ideological construction, drawing upon specifically American ideologies of freedom and volunteerism. The case studies further explore the power-relationship between the State and private groups, assessing the extent to which the State was in control of the relationship, and the extent to which private organizations exerted their independence. This is an excellent resource for all students and scholars of the Cold War and intelligence, international relations and political history.

Full Product Details

9780415356084

Table of Contents

Reviews

<p>'The Cultural Cold War in Western Europe is highly recommended for Cold War<br>scholars. Most of the contributors offer fresh insights into the nature of what is often<br>now called the ?state-private networks? operating on various levels during the Cold<br>War. Most of the essays are tightly argued, using primary sources culled from American and European archives. The contributors are rightly unwilling to take official claims of infuence at face value. Thankfully, they eschew the esoteric jargon that all too frequently bedevils cultural studies.'<p>'This is an excellent, and an excellently conceived and edited, essay collection.' - Cambridge Journal<p>

'The Cultural Cold War in Western Europe is highly recommended for Cold Warscholars. Most of the contributors offer fresh insights into the nature of what is oftennow called the state-private networks operating on various levels during the ColdWar. Most of the essays are tightly argued, using primary sources culled from American and European archives. The contributors are rightly unwilling to take official claims of infuence at face value. Thankfully, they eschew the esoteric jargon that all too frequently bedevils cultural studies.' 'This is an excellent, and an excellently conceived and edited, essay collection.' - Cambridge Journal

Author Information

Dept of American and Canadian Studies, University of Birmingham, UK Department of History, University of Sheffield, UK

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