Defense policy and public opinion: The British campaign for nuclear disarmament, 1945-1985

Thesis/Dissertation · Fri Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1988

OSTI ID:5316862

Dackiw, O A

This study is concerned with the rise and fall of anti-nuclear activism in Great Britain. Although anti-nuclear activists do not represent the majority of British public views on defense, their very vocal and highly visible activity can have major disruptive effects of US foreign policy and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. Moreover, insights into the anti-nuclear movement in Britain offer a standing point for a comparative assessment of analogous campaigns throughout Europe. In exploring this topic, the dissertation examines three key questions. First, what are the direct causes of cyclical anti-nuclear activism in Britain Second, are particular types of deployment instrinsically more provocative, and therefore, more politically exploitable than others Third, what are the particular socio-psychological factors associated with nuclear systems which Labour Party activists are able to manipulate In answering these questions, this study concentrates on one central hypothesis: that cycles of British nuclear activism are catalyzed by the deployment of foreign systems which evoke (a) special feelings of subordination in a hegemonic Anglo-US relationship, and (b) deep-seated symbolic fears of the apocalypse.

• Research Organization: Columbia Univ., New York, NY (USA)
• OSTI ID: 5316862
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
290600* -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Nuclear Energy
350100 -- Arms Control-- Policy
Negotiations
& Legislation-- (1987-)
98 NUCLEAR DISARMAMENT, SAFEGUARDS, AND PHYSICAL PROTECTION
ARMS CONTROL
EUROPE
INSTITUTIONAL FACTORS
INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
NATIONAL DEFENSE
NATO
NORTH AMERICA
NUCLEAR WEAPONS
POLITICAL ASPECTS
PUBLIC OPINION
PUBLIC POLICY
UNITED KINGDOM
USA
WEAPONS
WESTERN EUROPE