Külpolitika - A Magyar Külügyi Intézet elméleti-politikai folyóirata - 1976 (3. évfolyam)

1976 / 4. szám - A tanulmányok orosz és angol nyelvű tartalmi kivonata

Finally, the article sums up those most important international political issues on which the Communist parties of the capitalist world hold identical or similar views, and also touches on differences concerning certain subjects. The specific national features which are gaining ground in the programmes and practice of the West European Communist parties do not hinder cooperation and solidarity among Communist parties, but, on the contrary, lend strength to it on a new basis.

Andráalnotai: Major trends in the foreign trade strategy of the Federal Republic of Germany

The article examines the growing political and economic influence of the Federal Republic of Germany, the facts and factors that prove the strength of the country in the world economic context, always bearing in mind the close intertwining of economic and political processes.

Differing export and import trends are evidence that West German export interests, after 1970, broke through the limits defined by developed capitalist countries, which had lately proved too tight. Presumably West German monopoly interests going beyond the EEC are about to strengthen further, with far-reaching consequences for the future of the West European integration. Capital exports show similar specific features. In recent years it has shown the greatest dynamism not on the conventional EEC markets, but in those countries where the huge multinational enterprises are found.

Much space is given to West German ideas related to the new world economic order, and to the problem of raw materials supplies. The country, the author argues, expects to gain political ground thanks to its aid policy, in the least developed countries, while essential demands by the developing countries are rejected with surprising unaminity by a great variety of West German interests. Private capital makes up three quarters of the West German resource transfer sources, and so far such capital has shown great reluctance to flow to politically unstable, economically less interesting areas. This contradiction between aid policy and the behaviour of private capital is discussed from a number of aspects.

The two corner-stones of West German raw materials policy are the diversification of import-sources and increased reliance on developed capitalist countries which monopoly capitalism considers to be stable. The author quotes facts andfigures relating to changes between 1970 and 1975.

Such changes in the economic and political position of West Germany are the sources of many novel conflicts. A growth in the confrontation at home between the state and private capital can be expected on the one hand, and also between various capitalist interests. The latter is closely related to current structural changes. On the international plane it will prove increasingly difficult to rely on manoeuvring between Washington and Paris. West German foreign policy may well be modified by the way the Western European integration process shapes, and by American foreign policy ideas, which asign a key role in Western Europe to West Germany.

The basic element of foreign trade strategy, according to the author, is the maintenance of the processes inducing structural changes, as well as their speeding up. This leads him to the conclusion that those countries who can do their share in the international division of labour which springs from this process will form a central area for the realization of West German economic and political interests.

László Kerékgyártó: The Black Africa policy of the United States and its reconsideration

Reliance on white, racialist systems has become a convention of American foraign policy related to Africa, combined with political and economic manoeuvring with respect to the countries of Black Africa. The collapse of the colonial system, and the victory of the national democratic movements supported by the socialist countries in the former Portuguese colonies, and the resulting changed power relations in southern Africa, focussed attention on the countries south of the Sahara. The United States, losing some of its direct influence in the area, was forced to reconsider its policy.

Such a reconsideration is limited by special interests which link the US to the Republic of South Africa. That is where the bulk of American investments in Africa are concentrated, and South African trade-routes are of high strategic importance. The new policy proclaimed by Dr Henry Kissinger, the Secretary of State, in Lusaka, did not reflect basic changes in America’s strategy, but only tactical elements. Putting the stress on negotiations, and trying to influence moderate African leaders were both designed to hold on to American positions, maintaining the present position, and gaining time for minor changes.

Progressive African leaders rejected this policy, and the determination to liberate the whole of Southern Africa was strengthened. Economic pressure can only produce transitory and minor successes for the US and Dr Kissinger himself admitted as much. The basic issue is political, and what counts is the growing radicalization of the countries of Black Africa, their strengthening anti-imperialism, and the increasing respect in which they are held. If the US wishes to avoid a further decline of its influence in Black Africa, it must radically change not only its tactics, but also its strategical ideas.

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