
Professor emeritus of political science at the University of Erlangen.
Tilo Schabert
Professor emeritus of political science at the University of Erlangen. Visiting professor in Lisbon, Perpignan, Paris, Rennes, Salerno, and Naples. 1995–1996 Secretary General of the International Council for Philosophy and Human Sciences (UNESCO). Honorary doctorates from the Universities of Perpignan and Rennes. In 2005 received the German-French Parliamentary Prize. Among recent books: Wie Weltgeschichte gemacht wird: Frankreich und die deutsche Einheit (2002) and 40 (2009).
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Articles by Tilo Schabert
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The formula “end of the Cold War” conveyed an erroneous idea. For centuries the relations between “East” and “West” were characterized by antagonism. In the 1990s determined attempts were undertaken to overcome the polarity. Western Europe and the US responded favorably to the desire of Central/Eastern Europe and of Russia to integrate themselves into Western institutions and organisms defined by democracy and market economy. However, the force of existing mental realities — such as the fear of Russia in Central/European states or Russia`s clinging to its imperialist past and failure to handle its economy and finances well – proved to be stronger than the idealistic intentions formed in 1989–90 on both sides of the divide.
Keywords: End of Cold War, “East and West”, 1990s.
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On March 11, 1990, Lithuania declared its independence. The Soviet Union reacted by threatening economic sanctions. Lithuania needed support. Its hopes were directed at the West, and particularly at France. How did France react? What was its foreign policy regarding the “Baltic question”, that is, the demands of the Baltic States for the restoration of their sovereignty, which they had lost in their forced annexation by the Soviet Union in 1940?
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