Party Politics and Greek Security Policy from 1974 to 1984: Change and Continuity

摘要

This thesis explores the effects of political change on Greek security policy during the period 1974 to 1984. This period encompases significant change in Greece's foreign relations including those with the United States. The central question is: Are the elements of Greek security policy based on long-term basic interests which find consistent expression, or are they a function of domestic political factors, more ideologically motivated and therefore variable according to the governing political party. The fundamental issues include: relations with the Eastern Bloc, Cyprus, the Aegean Sea, relations with NATO, and U.S. military installations in Greece. These issues are analyzed for three periods: the 1974-1981 New Democracy Governments, the 1974-1981 opposition policies of PASOK, and the 1974-present PASOK government. Although some expected a radical departure in policies with the 1981 change to a socialist government, practical policies have shown very little change. The basic requirements of a developing and maturing country influenced by the conditions of its regional environments and general world conditions seem to lend consistency and rationality to Greek security policy and should be considered in forming Western policy for the region.