Summary_of_the_Article_“the_Source_of_Soviet_Conduct”_by_John_F._Kennan

The article “The source on Soviet Conduct” written by John Kennan in July 1947 is about the origin of the conduct of the Soviet Union with regard to the concatenation of their ideology and the circumstances. Kennan gives a recommendation for the behaviour of the United States concerning their engagement against the Soviets. The first part of the article gives a historical background to better understand the Soviets ideology. Kennan indicates the prevailing policy of the Soviet Union was shaped by a variety of ideological concepts of the current soviet leaders and the way of leadership in the past. The leaders are influenced by the Marxist theory since it is supposed to give them the justification to behave without the support of the majority of population. They focused more on the cause of socialism as on its future and tried to prevent every other form of organization getting power and structure. Kennan specifies that this process has never been concluded. The ideology has convinced the people that everything outside of Russia is an enemy and that capitalism must be destructed. This has also been the justification for the retention of the dictatorship. After they exterminated the capitalism in Russia they emphasized on the capitalism abroad to justify this retention. The remaining antagonism from the foreign countries has been used as an explanation for maintenance the dictatorial authority. But now the thought is established so strongly that it requires nothing more in order to maintain it. The second part of the article gives an outlook and proposals on how the US should behave. Kennan argues that the Soviet regime believes that the capitalist world is a danger for the whole regime and that it would only consent to certain transnational matters as a tactical action with regard to the remaining antagonism. Kennan warns the US to not believe in this tactics until a change in the internal nature of Soviet power has come which could take long time. He also says the US should not be worried as the Soviets are not in a rush to destroy the capitalism. They believe in an inevitable fall of capitalism. In the third part Kennan points out that the communism is already on its way to decay. This is because the government was building up without the support of the majority. The people had to live under suppression and exploitation. During the war millions of people were killed and the young generation, who could help, is influenced by war and revolution. In addition the transport infrastructure is not sufficient for the economy. In the fourth part Kennan recommends behavior for the US. The Soviet Union must be seen as a rival as long as they stop trying to destroy the capitalism and to spread communism. Furthermore the US should try to avoid the Soviet Union from getting more power. In addition Kennan is in the conviction that the US has the power to deal with this situation.