Henry Kissinger: diplomacy in theory and practice

Henry Kissinger refers to the most notable political figures of the 20th century. During his tenure as US Secretary of State, he was involved in events that affected the course of world history. Kissinger contributed to the development of US-China relations and to a decrease in the level of tension in the confrontation between the countries that were part of the socialist and capitalist blocs. He is one of the most famous experts in the field of diplomacy in the world. Kissinger became the author of many books in which he shared his vast political experience. He is among the first hundred intellectuals of the world, most often mentioned in the press.

early years

Henry Kissinger was born in a Jewish family in Judaism in Germany in 1923. After coming to power of the Nazis, he emigrated to the US with his parents and younger brother. As a college student, he was drafted into the US Army and found himself on the fronts of World War II. Thanks to knowledge of the German language and intellectual abilities, Kissinger received a referral to the intelligence service.

Academic career

After returning to the US, Kissinger entered Harvard College, where he studied political science. A few years later, he received his master's degree and defended his doctoral dissertation. Kissinger stayed at Harvard as a teacher. He led various research programs in the field of politics and served as a consultant in higher state structures. The University established the Center for International Relations, which trained professional cadres to carry out missions in the field of diplomacy. Kissinger took the post of assistant director of this project.

Political activity

In 1968, Richard Nixon became president of the United States . By that time, Kissinger had won the confidence of representatives of government circles. President Nixon appointed him Secretary of State and National Security Adviser. During the next decade Kissinger was behind the formation of the foreign policy course. Diplomacy was based on ideas that seemed to him the most reasonable.

Kissinger was the inspiration for the successful negotiations between the US and China to create a political bloc. He played an important role in the signing of a number of agreements between the US and the USSR, which led to a relaxation of tensions in the relations between the two countries. Henry Kissinger contributed to the diplomatic efforts aimed at ending the war in Vietnam.

Books

Prospects for the use of nuclear weapons were the most urgent topic in the 1950s. These questions became the subject of study in the first book, which Kissinger wrote. He regarded diplomacy as a way to avoid general annihilation. The book entitled "Nuclear Weapons and Foreign Policy" became a bestseller and attracted the public's attention to the personality of its author. In the following decades, many works of this influential expert were published.

History of international relations

In the list of literary works authored by Kissinger, the book "Diplomacy" occupies a special place. It was published in 1994 and is dedicated to all employees of the US Department of Foreign Affairs. The book is an overview of the history of international relations and the art of negotiation. Kissinger, a staunch supporter of the school of political realism, focuses readers' attention on issues of balance of power and national interests. He criticizes the concept of collective security.

Political Realism

In some of the events described in the book, Kissinger himself took part. The analysis of US government diplomacy and policy in the era of the "cold war" he conducts as a direct witness to the development of world history. The book covers a period of about 200 years since the 17th century.

According to Kissinger, the countries flourished in those days when their leaders adhered to the principles of political realism. The essence of this state policy is that all important decisions are made solely on the basis of practical considerations. They should not be based on any ideology, morality or religion. Throughout his long career, Kissinger remained a staunch supporter of political realism and tried to follow his principles in practice.