Balance and Hegemony : the Pcr, the Pci, and the strategy for détente in Europe (1972-1976)

The Soviet pursuit of hegemonic balance in Europe, illustrated by the suppression of the Prague Spring and the NixonBrezhnev détente, faced growing resistance among Communist parties within and beyond the Warsaw Pact. In this context, the Pcr and the Pci converged in opposing hegemony and bipolarity in favor of multipolarity, viewing European détente as central to Europe's political reconfiguration and to resisting Soviet control over the Communist movement. Despite different motivations, they shared notable similarities in political thinking, alongside tensions in their internationalist identity and limits to cooperation. While the Pcr emphasized the international dimension, the Pci combined international and ideological perspectives. Their inability to develop a common vision of Europe highlights both these differences and the longterm impact of their cooperation. [Publisher's Text]