Economic competition drove Cold War policies from "summary" of The Cold War by John Lewis Gaddis
During the Cold War, the United States and the Soviet Union engaged in a fierce competition that extended beyond military capabilities to include economic power. This economic competition was a driving force behind the policies of both superpowers during this period. The United States, with its capitalist economy, sought to demonstrate the superiority of its economic system over the Soviet Union's communist model. The Soviet Union, on the other hand, aimed to prove the strength and efficiency of its planned economy in comparison to the capitalist system. The economic competition between the United States and the Soviet Union manifested in various ways, including through technological advancements, industrial production, and the standard of living for their citizens. Both superpowers sought to outperform each other in these areas to showcase the advantages of their respective economic systems. The United States, with its emphasis on free markets and entrepreneurship, focused on innovation and consumerism to drive economic growth. The Soviet Union, with its centralized planning and state-controlled economy, prioritized industrial output and collective welfare. This economic competition influenced Cold War policies in several significant ways. For the United States, economic considerations played a key role in shaping its foreign policy objectives, such as containment and the Marshall Plan, which aimed to bolster Western Europe's economies and prevent the spread of communism. The Soviet Union, in response, pursued economic policies that prioritized military spending and industrialization to compete with the United States on a global scale.- The economic competition between the United States and the Soviet Union during the Cold War era had far-reaching implications for both superpowers and the global community. It influenced their domestic policies, foreign relations, and strategic decision-making, shaping the course of history for decades to come. The economic dimension of the Cold War highlighted the importance of economic power as a tool for achieving political and strategic objectives on the world stage.
