| The purpose of this study is to examine the nature and the impact of the Bush Administration's foreign relations in Central Eastern Europe. The Bush years (1989-1993) coincided with the final years of the U.S.S.R. and the beginning of the democratic transition in Central Eastern Europe (Poland, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, and East-Germany). The changes were mainly channelled under the Super Powers' umbrella and with their active involvement. Therefore this study, in the diplomatic relations context, will concentrate on U.S.-Soviet relations as they pertained to the Central East European transition from communist control toward a freer and more democratic society.; It will be shown how the Bush Administration's philosophy and policies reflected the dualistic (liberal-conservative) nature of the 20th-century U.S. relations toward Europe, in general, and Central Eastern Europe, in particular. Through an examination of the Bush Administration's strategy and policies, it will be concluded that the Administration and its conduct of foreign relations was more of a liberal nature than of a conservative. This reality begs the question whether the U.S. involvement helped or hindered the former satellite nations' transition. It will be shown that the Bush Administration had an acceptable strategy (acceptable by default) in the short run vis-a-vis the communists but had a detrimental accommodationist long-strategy vis-a-vis a form of soft socialism or communism. This reality, which manifested itself in the U.S.'s international diplomacy and concrete policies, will most likely have a negative impact on Eastern Europe in the long haul. |
