Communist-Socialist Cooperation in Western Europe: The Domino Theory Revisited,

The purpose of this paper is to examine the apparent trend toward greater communist-socialist cooperation in various Western European nations and to determine the prospects for greater leftist cooperation on a pan-European scale. In particular, special attention will be accorded to the development of the electoral alliance between the French Communist Party PCF and the French Socialist Party PS. In addition, an assessment will be made of the chances of these new phenomena of Eurocommunism and Eurosocialism evolving into a new European order based on Euroleftism. Finally, the American reaction to these recent developments in Western Europe will be discussed, with close scrutiny being accorded to the credibility of the neo-domino scenario.