ABSTRACT
The discussion on the conflict between national and international interests in the context of Soviet–East European relations suggests that some novel aspects have emerged in the East Europeans' reactions to the policy changes and to the proposals emanating from Moscow. The government or East Germany has reason to be satisfied with Gorbachev's initiatives. The East Europeans have two main possible motives for being reluctant to follow Gorbachev's line too closely. The development of Soviet–East European relations under Gorbachev carries both important economic and political opportunities and potentially serious challenges and risks for the West. Evidence to prove that Soviet enlightenment would have different foreign policy implications than did Tsarist enlightenment is wanting. Bucharest is in the process of repaying its massive debt to the West at the cost of draconian reductions in its standard of living. The chapter also presents some closing thoughts on the key concepts discussed in the preceding chapters of this book.
