The Role of NATO Before, During and After the Cold War

NATO Before, During and After the Cold War

Research Topic

The existence of NATO before and during the cold war played a crucial role in solving the devastating war brought by the Soviet Union. The purpose of NATO was to fight for human rights that had previously been ignored during the cold war. The war destroyed million of Europeans and lots of resources. During this period, NATO embraced the policy of Massive Retaliation to respond to the war that had deteriorated economic growth and destroyed many lives. This paper is aimed at presenting a research proposal that discusses roles of NATO before, during, and after the cold war.

Research Purpose

The aim of this research is to investigate the role of NATO before, during, and after the cold war. The study will be conducted on the basis that, the nature of NATO has changed after the cold war. For instance, NATO has enhanced significant changes in structure and policy by restructuring staffs and headquarters that promotes peace and unity globally. In the 21^st century, NATO has been against weapons of terrorism, destruction, and cyber attacks. In future, NATO seeks to work with partners to strengthen security and stability in Europe.

Research Questions

The intended study will mainly focus in answering the following question

What is the purpose of NATO before the cold war?
What is the purpose of NATO during the cold war?
What is the purpose of NATO after the cold war?
What are the common benefits of NATO in the modern society?

Research Methodology

To obtain intended findings in the study, specific methods will be employed. These include case studies, historical backgrounds, and data analysis. First, the research will examine prominent scholars that highlight the role of NATO, before, during, and after the cold war. The data will help this research to predict the possible changes of the role of NATO in recent years. Secondly, official documents and literature that documents the concept of NATO during the war will be analyzed. Thirdly, this research will analyze different case studies that focus on different events that occurred after the cold war. The research will highlight the actual development and progress of NATO before and after the cold war. The next stage will be analysis of collected data or information and this will be achieved through use of data analysis tools like graphs, tables, and charts. All these data analysis tools will be used to evaluate the variables of the study in various methods used to obtain the findings of the research.

Literature Review

Duffield, J. S. (1995). NATO’s functions after the cold war. Political Science Quarterly, 109(4), 763. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/208265840?accountid=45049

According to this research, many people expected NATO to collapse after the cold war. However, NATO grew tremendously in military training, exercises, and planning. NATO did not only exist, but improvised its organizational bodies and engaged into new activities of promoting peace and unity in Europe. According to this article, NATO played a significant role of enforcing and empowering UN Security Council. It became the political instrument of change after the cold war. This alliance was a crucial tool of stabilizing Central Asia and Eastern Europe. Its new mission was to extend and promote peace through international efforts on security.

Kucera, T. (2009). DIPLOMACY AND WAR AT NATO. THE SECRETARY GENERAL AND MILITARY ACTION AFTER THE COLD WAR.Perspectives, 17(1), 131-135,147. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/215140685?accountid=45049

This article presents comparative case studies during the cold war. The author provides a historical background of cold war and summarises his findings on the impact brought by NATO. The first highlighted case study was of Manfred Worner who commented that NATO demonstrated a strong influence of stopping the cold war. NATO campaigned for peace and unity across Europe region. Additionally, the article analyses the case study of George Robertson who in his speech affirmed that NATO reinforced a strong defence against the use of nuclear weapons. This article is worth analyzing since it presents case studies that explain the significance of NATO on cold war.

Art, R. J. (1998). Creating a disaster: NATO’s open door policy. Political Science Quarterly, 113(3), 383-403. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/208267225?accountid=45049

This article provides a brief history of NATO. According to Art, NATO was established in 1949, the alliance grew to 16 members after the war. The growth in number was because NATO remained active in the military. It diligently worked hard to ensure that people were living in peace and unity. The alliance became active in fighting political instability. NATO had adequate resources and in a better position to combat peace in Europe and Asian region. The major objective of NATO during the war was to provide military services. During the leadership of Bill Clinton, NATO attracted United States to partner with them. In 1993 to 2001, the America government helped NATO to enlarge its membership and include Soviet allies. The United States believed that NATO would guarantee security, peace, and freedom of Europe.

Rose, M. (1999). NATO is fighting the last computer battle. Peacekeeping & International Relations, 28(2), 2-2, 4. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/234399257?accountid=45049

This article provides adequate information of how NATO worked hard to implement a positive change during the cold war. Often, NATO tested its decision-making policies and procedures through computer war games. Members of NATO would play computer war games according to the rules and doctrines of the Soviet Union. Through these games, NATO embraced the tactics of engaging into the war. According to this article, NATO purpose during the war was to protect its members. In 2013, NATO confessed that it had a great interest of supporting Turkey and other nation from Syria attack. In recent times, NATO has diligently announced its desire to fight terrorism.

Art, R. J. (1996). Why Western Europe needs the United States and NATO. Political Science Quarterly, 111(1), 1. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/208262762?accountid=45049

The struggle of maintaining political stability and peace in Europe explain the need of having NATO and the United States. Western Europe must establish the need to embrace NATO and United States in its ruling to attain peace and economic stability. Western Europe must fight hard to attain a strong security force that safeguards all citizens. The United States and NATO would help the region attain peace and provide adequate security facilities. According to this article, NATO and United States are crucial in maintaining peace and political stability in Western Europe. Specifically, they have provided the region with adequate security facilities and services that assist in maintaining peace.

Sandler, T., & Murdoch, J. C. (2000). On sharing NATO defence burdens in the 1990s and beyond. Fiscal Studies, 21(3), 297-327. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/236806651?accountid=45049

In their investigation, Murdoch & Sandler share their views on how NATO helped in enhancing technological, political, and social change after the cold war. Technology had advanced tremendously after the cold war. This research assumes that NATO helped in creating a society where people would share their innovative ideas and thoughts. As a result, this created opportunities for social, political, and technological change. After the war, people interacted effectively without having the fear of being harmed.

Legrenzi, M. (2007). NATO IN THE GULF: WHO IS DOING WHOM A FAVOR? Middle East Policy, 14(1), 69-75. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/203667024?accountid=45049

This article highlights the future role of NATO in reforming security sector. In 2004, NATO implemented a new initiative in the Middle East, with a focus of maintaining peace and unity. In recent years, NATO has strengthened its missions and goals of offering a strong and practical security support to European countries. In 2009 and 2011, NATO announced its need to fight terrorism. Currently, NATO helps to fight terrorism, maintain peace, and provide military services.

Analysis and findings

This research concludes that, NATO helped in promoting peace and political stability before, during, and after the cold war. In recent times, its role has grown tremendously to include initiatives of fighting terrorism. The significance of this study is that it has achieved its objective of analyzing the role of NATO.

List of References

Art, R. J. (1996). Why Western Europe needs the United States and NATO. Political Science Quarterly, 111(1), 1. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/208262762?accountid=45049

Art, R. J. (1998). Creating a disaster: NATO’s open door policy. Political Science Quarterly, 113(3), 383-403. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/208267225?accountid=45049

Duffield, J. S. (1995). NATO’s functions after the cold war. Political Science Quarterly, 109(4), 763. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/208265840?accountid=45049

Legrenzi, M. (2007). NATO IN THE GULF: WHO IS DOING WHOM A FAVOR? Middle East Policy, 14(1), 69-75. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/203667024?accountid=45049

Rose, M. (1999). NATO is fighting the last computer battle. Peacekeeping & International Relations, 28(2), 2-2, 4. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/234399257?accountid=45049