Professor Dr. Evanthis Hatzivassiliou

Post-war Historian (National and Kapodistrian University of Athens)

‘‘The most important lesson of the Cold War era is the realization that economic development is the major force that determines international affairs. Moreover, the economic health of a society tends to strengthen the forces of moderation and the middle classes, which are the preconditions of representative democracy and the respect of human rights. The ability of the Western world to maintain its economic lead was the crucial factor that enabled it to prevail in the Cold War.’’