Détente was the period during the Cold War between the early 70s and 1980 where there was a serious attempt at coexistence between the Soviet world and the United States and its allies, where tensions would be ended and the nuclear stockpiles cut down (in the SALT talks). Détente ended with the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, the Olympic boycotts, Carter increasing defense spending in reaction to that, and the election of the extremely anti-Communist, anti-Soviet Ronald Reagan. Ironically, it would be that anti-Communist, anti-Soviet President who ushered in something of a second Détente until the Soviet Union collapsed shortly thereafter.
The ideological explanation of this is that détente was never actually possible. Although both could try to coexist, and could manage that for a limited time, they could not permanently because each system called for expansion at the expense of the other. I have heard one of the more interesting analogies being of two swelling toads in a confined space; one would either overwhelm the other or they would both explode.
So I was curious on your opinions, was détente during the Cold War destined to failure or was it something that could have continued? And if it was destined to failure, how long could it last?
The ideological explanation of this is that détente was never actually possible. Although both could try to coexist, and could manage that for a limited time, they could not permanently because each system called for expansion at the expense of the other. I have heard one of the more interesting analogies being of two swelling toads in a confined space; one would either overwhelm the other or they would both explode.
So I was curious on your opinions, was détente during the Cold War destined to failure or was it something that could have continued? And if it was destined to failure, how long could it last?