Rise of the soviet empire : a study of Soviet foreign policy

This study deals primarily with Soviet foreign policy in action. I mean by this that problems of ideology are discussed only as they affect actual Soviet moves and attitudes with regard to other nations or states. For ideology cannot become policy until it finds expres sion in action. This process can be one either of commission or omis sion, but it cannot result from a mere proclamation of principles. Swiss neutrality, for example, is both a principle and a policy-it originates political acts (such as the manning of frontiers in case of war between neighboring states, or abstention from membership in the United Nations). The Soviet leaders' profession of faith in the ultimate victory of Communism would be nothing but a boast or an interesting psychological attitude were it not for their ceaseless ef forts to bring new nations under Communist rule. "Peaceful coex istence" may or may not be a policy of peace, depending on its implementations.