In his speech, John F. Kennedy was overcoming the problem of “The nuclear arms race” and common faith into “iron” solution of the Cold War conflict, solution through the power of weapon and “deadly atom”.
To overcome this, at least in the mind of his audience, first of all, in his speech Kennedy showed respect to all sides of Cold War, friends of the USA, neutral sides, and opposed side (communist), however, secondly he emphasized the “comfort” of current course of conflict, where : “both sides overburdened by the cost of modern weapons, both rightly alarmed by the steady spread of the deadly atom, yet both racing to alter that uncertain balance of terror that stays the hand of mankind’s final war.”
Thus, Kennedy proposed a new course of international relationship – negotiation. In this case, in terms of Stasis, he changed the definition of the negotiation itself, from the instrument that could be used by dominating or weak side of conflict to find a better way to end up conflict, to an instrument that could help equal sides to get rid of “common problems” caused by conflict. Negotiation, in this case, could solve the current conflict in a peaceful, thus is a good choice by its nature and consequences. Let’s find a way to worldwide peace by solving and discussing the issue on a common ground of problems that could destroy our nations and ideals, even if this negotiation would take a long time! – here is Kennedy’s policy. It is Credible, feasible and plausible for all people around the word? No.
By my opinion, one of the greatest question of this speech, who is an audience? According to my mind, audience of this speech is American citizens and people who support democratical ideals, but not an opposite side of a conflict – communists. To prove it, we could observe the statement: “And yet the same revolutionary beliefs for which our forebears fought are still at issue around the globe — the belief that the rights of man come not from the generosity of the state, but from the hand of God.”
I’m more than sure that President Kennedy was well informed about the ideals and beliefs of the communist’s society. The faiths that everything achievable by the hard work of people, who a equal and have the same goal. For communist God was their common faith into the Party and communism. Churches were used as schools, clubs (for activists), and party’s meetings. No place for God. Rights were achieved by blood of common people, who were fighting for them, but no “from the hand of God”.
In this case, what is this speech? First, it is “send to the eyes” of the American citizens to persuade them that negotiation is possible, and America is ready for them, because government realize the “disastrous” consequences of the conflict. Second, it is a demonstration of liberal and democratical ideas of America for the United Nation members.
In this case, “to assist free men and free governments in casting off the chains of poverty. But this peaceful revolution of hope cannot become the prey of hostile powers. Let all our neighbors know that we shall join with them to oppose aggression or subversion anywhere in the Americas. And let every other power know that this hemisphere intends to remain the master of its own house.” – This word are guarantees for the Alliance’ members that they will have benefit continue supporting the USA.
“All this will not be finished in the first one hundred days. Nor will it be finished in the first one thousand days; nor in the life of this Administration; nor even perhaps in our lifetime on this planet. But let us begin.” – It is a way to escape from the responsibility for Kennedy’s purpose for the negotiation and common peace.: “When? Not today, but it will be done, maybe tomorrow”.
Finally, one side of Kennedy’s policy is: “country”, however, he did not answer what they can do, everything depends on the common citizens of countries, but what can they do “for the freedom of the men”? They can belief in the democratic ideals and to the fact that everything in the hands of Fate Or God, who gave us rights, but will it solve the issue?
In this case, it is one more motivational statement to support the USA side and system of believes in the dark times of the Cold War.
To sum up, did Kennedy overcome the common idea that solution of the conflict lays in the field of weapon and ideological clench? Probably, yes, it was done by praising the democratic ideals, emphasizing the disastrous consequences of the “deadly atom” race and providing the credible, feasible and plausible looks policy for a common people. However, the main idea of this speech, probably, was to increase support from the members of Nation Union, attract new members and to enrich the USA authority.