The Netherlands and the redesign of European security: The Netherlands, the EC and NATO and the negotiations at the Madrid CSCE conference of 1980-1983
Summary
This thesis examines how the Netherlands contributed to competition, cooperation and transfer of ideas between the European Community and NATO during the negotiations about the Conference on Disarmament in Europe (CDE) at the Madrid CSCE conference from 1980 to 1983. It shows that the Cold War was more than just a conflict between two superpowers and their allies. It was a complex international order in which small states like the Netherlands and institutions such as the European Political Cooperation (EPC) had significant influence. It also shows that security matters, not human rights, were the driving force behind negotiations at the Madrid conference.