How did identity issues shape U.S. foreign policy during the Cold War and detente?

In international relations, some scholars believe that conflict
comes about (or does not) based on the self-identity of various countries and their people. In
other words, Country A and Country B might come into conflict if their visions of themselves are
incompatible. Country A and Country C, meanwhile, may enjoy peace because their visions of one
another do not come in conflict.

During the early part of the Cold
War, the US seemed to identify itself mainly as an anti-communist country. Based on this
self-identification, the US came in conflict with countries that (to the US) seemed to be
communist. By contrast, the US maintained peaceful relations with countries that were
anti-communist, regardless of whether those countries were democracies or
dictatorships.

By the time that detente happened, the US vision of
itself had been changed by the Vietnam War. The US stopped perceiving itself solely as a bulwark
against communism and started to see itself as a nation that could be more dedicated to peaceful
coexistence with all. Because of this, one can argue, the US stance towards the USSR and China
moderated.

Please note, however, that realists would not accept this
explanation at all. They would argue that both of these policies came about because each was the
best way for the US to maximize its power and security at that particular
time.