ABSTRACT
From mid-1975 to 1980, the redefinitions of the East-West and North-South agendas established during the previous period proved fragile. The overlapping of agendas gave new credence to the global agenda, and to the prospects for global solutions to some political problems. The idea of global negotiations as a fresh start on North-South dialogue was endorsed by an independent international commission chaired by former West German Chancellor Willy Brandt. The North-South agenda had been very clearly defined by the proposals for the New International Economic Order. The uncertainties of weapons development and deployment decisions left considerable room for doubt on both sides about the value of East-West cooperation on arms control issues. Compliance with the human rights portions of the Helsinki Accord of 1975 became a new and prominent issue between East and West. One effect of the Soviet activities and the leftward political changes in Africa was an increase in the salience of Africa for the West.
