Philosophic roots of Western antinuclear movements

Technical Report · Sun Oct 01 00:00:00 EDT 1989

OSTI ID:6023941

Bitzinger, R A

The popular campaign in the West against nuclear weapons (also called the antinuclear movement or the peace movement) has been waged for over 30 years. Although one can debate its impact and influence, one cannot doubt its staying power. The antinuclear movement may rise--as it did in the late 1950's and late 1970s--and fall--as it did in the mid-1960s and mid-1980s--but it is never likely to recede and disappear entirely. As long as there are those who oppose the continued development and deployment of nuclear weapons, the movement will remain with us. The antinuclear movement in North America and Western Europe--particularly during its most recent phase of activity (the late 1970s/early 1980s)--has been the object of a great deal of scrutiny. Little, however, has been written about the causes behind the antinuclear movements. During the two peaks of the antinuclear movement, several highly visible issues surrounding nuclear weapons arose in the West. In the late 1950s and early 1960s, NATO's decision to deploy nuclear-armed medium-range ballistic missiles in Western Europe, concerns about the health hazards of atmospheric nuclear testing, and continuing expansion of the U.S.-Soviet nuclear arms race evoked a strong public response. Twenty years later, the neutron bomb and the INF decision revitalized the movement, both in America and in Europe. Yet these were only the catalysts to the emergence or reemergence of the antinuclear movement; deeper forces were also at work.

• Research Organization: Rand Corp., Santa Monica, CA (USA)
• OSTI ID: 6023941
• Report Number(s): AD-A-228303/4/XAB; RAND/P-7601
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

98 NUCLEAR DISARMAMENT, SAFEGUARDS, AND PHYSICAL PROTECTION
ARMS CONTROL
POLITICAL ASPECTS
DECISION MAKING
HAZARDS
HISTORICAL ASPECTS
NATO
NORTH AMERICA
NUCLEAR EXPLOSIONS
NUCLEAR WEAPONS
PUBLIC OPINION
WESTERN EUROPE
EUROPE
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350100* - Arms Control- Policy
Negotiations
& Legislation- (1987-)