The Cold War seen from the 21st century. Interpretive novelties

Abstract

In the existing literature on the Cold War published since 2000, the different authors reviewed in this essay study this conflict from an epistemological perspective and novel historiography. Far from previous stereotypes that define that confrontation both as a political and military contest between the two superpowers emerged from the ashes of World War II -the United States and the Soviet Union- present mainstream considers that it was the "soul of humanity" what was actually at stake, that is, the economic, social, cultural and political model of two very different societies. The aim of this paper about new interpretations of the meaning of the Cold War is to establish a contrast between those authors' innovative, personal vision and most works on this subject published before the year 2000.