Western Studies of Soviet Foreign Policy

In recent years, Western studies of Soviet foreign policy and the political system have focused on what has been called the input side of politics. Scholars have attempted to discern the relationship of the political authorities to demands and the supports generated in the political process. In particular, scholars have attempted, through a number of case studies, to demonstrate that Soviet foreign policy has been influenced by the ability of foreign policy specialists in the Academy of Sciences and Soviet party and government institutions (the foreign policy establishment) to help determine leadership policy decisions.