The purpose of this thesis is to give an account of
spheres of influence in contemporary international politics
with the ultimate intention of specifying the place they
have had in international order. In this connection, the
most important spheres of influence have been those of the
Soviet Union and the United States. Neither of these two
powers either publicly recognises the sphere of the other or
uses the term "sphere of influence" to describe its
relationship with states which are considered by other powers
to be under its influence. Nevertheless, spheres of influence
are part of the reality of international politics and the
Soviet Union and the United States have both behaved as though
they do recognise each other's sphere. Indeed, because of the
way they have behaved it may be inferred that they have
reached a tacit and reciprocal understanding as to the range
of behaviour each will tolerate of the other with regard to
their respective spheres of influence. It is principally
through such understanding that spheres of influence
contribute to international order
