On October 17, the NYU Shanghai–ECNU Center on Global History, Economy, and Culture (GHEC), in partnership with East China Normal University’s Academy of History and Documentation of Socialism, hosted two lectures that bridged the past and present, exploring the dynamics of the Cold War and its enduring impact on today’s world.
Looking back to the past can be a valuable tool to understand our current global dynamics. Distinguished Global Network Professor and Director of NYU Shanghai-ECNU Center on Global History, Economy and Culture Chen Jian framed the talks for the audience, explaining the relevance of historical academic research in modern times. “‘Cold War' metaphors have been so frequently used to define the essence of today’s international relations,” he said. “Scholarly sound and intellectually insightful dialogues remain among the most powerful means to achieve a deeper and better understanding of the world of our times.”
Kicking off the intellectual journey, Professor Nadia Gueorguieva Boyadjieva of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences discussed the Warsaw Pact and China during the Sino-Soviet split. Her talk was chaired by ECNU History Professor Yao Yu, with comments from Professor Chen Jian and ECNU’s Associate Professor Ge Jun. Using archival sources from Russia and East European countries, Boyadjieva highlighted how, despite Moscow’s deep concerns about Beijing’s attempts to drive wedges between USSR and its East European allies, Warsaw Pact countries largely maintained an allegiance to Moscow—except for Albania and Romania, which either boldly sided with China or took a neutral path.
The conversation then leaped into the present with a lecture on the end of the Cold War and its lasting impact, given by Harvard University Professor Mark Kramer, director of the Cold War Studies Project. His talk was chaired by Research Professor Chen Zhihong, who was joined by discussants Professors Chen Jian and Yao Yu. Kramer examined the lasting legacies of the Cold War, from nuclear arsenals and military alliances to technological innovation and cultural influence. He contended that while the Cold War ended decades ago, its shadows continue to shape the contours of today’s global politics and political economy.
The event drew a packed and engaged audience from across the NYU Shanghai and ECNU communities, fostering a vibrant cross-cultural dialogue and exchange.