Professor Caldwell analyzed the domestic politics of the Salt II Treaty ratification negotiations. He said the Carter administration sought to “rewire” the U.S.-Soviet relations by emphasizing arms control and human rights, and de-emphasizing specific ideological linkages of arms control with the Soviet Union. He also talked about the debate in the Senate over the treaty and the lessons that can be learned from the negotiations. The other panelists commented on the analysis presented by Professor Caldwell in a Soviet-authored paper read by Professor Jackson. Professor Jackson moderated.
The panel “The USA and the USSR” was part of the Hofstra Cultural Center’s eighth presidential conference, “Jimmy Carter: Keeping Faith.” It was held in cooperation with the Jimmy Carter Library and The Carter Center.