Main content

The Shadow of the Cold War

Four Thought Series 4
Episode 77 of 3

Economist Jeffrey Sachs, who advised Russia at the end of the Cold War, argues that many of today's global problems were caused by bad decisions at the end of previous wars.

Jeffrey Sachs argues that many of today's global problems are hangovers from bad, ungenerous decisions at the end of previous conflicts.

Professor Sachs is one of the world's leading economists, and amongst the many governments he has advised over 30 years were Poland and Russia at the end of the Cold War.

In this very personal talk, recorded at McNally Jackson books in New York City, Professor Sachs describes how a stunned Russian Prime Minister, facing economic calamity and desperate for western support, was told instead by western governments that there would be no help forthcoming. And he argues that decisions like this - similar to those taken by the Entente powers at the end of the First World War which sowed the seeds of today's conflicts in the Middle East - are a large part of the explanation of Russian attitudes today, including in Ukraine.

The presenter is Amanda Stern.

Producer: Giles Edwards.

Available now

15 minutes

Last on

Sun 21 Dec 2014 05:45
±«Óãtv Radio 4

More episodes

Previous

Black in AmericaSeries 4

Next

Art, Design and PoliticsSeries 4

See all episodes from Four Thought

  • 100 Voices that Made the ±«Óãtv

  • The Reith Lectures 2007

    Jeffrey Sachs calls for a new Enlightenment to help make globalisation work for all.

  • The Reith Lectures 2014

    Surgeon and writer Dr Atul Gawande explores the nature of fallibility in medicine.

  • The Public Philosopher

    Philosopher Michael Sandel hosts a series of public debates recorded around the world.

Broadcasts

  • Wed 17 Dec 2014 20:45
    ±«Óãtv Radio 4
  • Sun 21 Dec 2014 05:45
    ±«Óãtv Radio 4

Download this programme

Subscribe to this programme or download individual episodes.

The Best of Four Thought

Explore some of the best programmes from Radio 4's Four Thought

Change a light bulb, check your emails...

What can you do in 4 minutes? Join us in some intelligent time wasting.

Seriously...

Seriously...

Discover seriously interesting documentaries from Radio 4.

Podcast

  • Four Thought

    Series of thought-provoking talks on topics that affect culture and society.