Weapons sponsorship: Promoting strategic defense in the nuclear era

Miscellaneous · Sun Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1989

OSTI ID:7029002

Pratt, E K

This study develops a framework for an elite network analysis using a concept called weapons sponsorship (i.e., the utilization of resources by individuals and groups for the promotion of new weapons systems) and traces the evolution of U.S. policy regarding Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) from the immediate post-World War II period up to, and including, President Reagan's decision to initiate the Strategic Defense Initiative. The analysis of the major networks of BMD sponsors found relations between these policy-planning groups to be largely uncoordinated, often competitive, and sometimes antagonistic. In addition, several of these networks were highly polarized internally. These discoveries led to a reassessment of the influence and interests of the military-industrial complex, resulting in several findings concerning strategic defense in particular, and the arms race in general. For many BMD proponents, exotic BMD schemes offered a chance to break out of the strategic stalemate in offensive weaponry. Thus, a failed Star Wars would indicate that the political power of weapons sponsors interested in pursuing strategic superiority in the nuclear age is weakening.

• Research Organization: California Univ., Riverside, CA (USA)
• OSTI ID: 7029002
• Resource Relation: Other Information: Thesis (Ph. D.)
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

45 MILITARY TECHNOLOGY, WEAPONRY, AND NATIONAL DEFENSE
29 ENERGY PLANNING
POLICY AND ECONOMY
BALLISTIC MISSILE DEFENSE
NATIONAL PROGRAM PLANS
NUCLEAR WEAPONS
GOVERNMENT POLICIES
MILITARY STRATEGY
NETWORK ANALYSIS
POLITICAL ASPECTS
INSTITUTIONAL FACTORS
NATIONAL DEFENSE
WEAPONS
450400* - Military Technology
Weaponry
& National Defense- Nuclear & Radiological Warfare- (1990-)
290600 - Energy Planning & Policy- Nuclear Energy