Introduction: in defense of some optimism

Journal Article · · Int. Organ.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1017/S0020818300004057· OSTI ID:6477229

Quester, G H

The spread of nuclear weapons would make the world a much less stable place, and such a spread may be difficult to stop. Yet proliferation is not as yet inevitable. Several viewpoints are implicitly rejected in this special issue on proliferation of International Organization. One is that nuclear proliferation would actually be desirable for the world. Another is that such weapons spread is inevitable. Other rejected viewpoints are that such spread can be halted only by a crash program, by a brutal exercise of American national power, or by a substantial surrender of such power. The international system may indeed hamper a nonproliferation effort in various ways - for example, in a drastic worsening of Soviet-American relations or a major disruption of world oil production. Yet, the most important counter to pessimism about containing proliferation comes from the world's awareness of how bad actual proliferation would be. States that pretend to be indifferent or resigned to such nuclear-weapons spread will quietly be making contributions to halting it. 6 references.

• Research Organization: Cornell Univ., Ithaca, NY
• OSTI ID: 6477229
• Journal Information: Int. Organ.; (United States), Journal Name: Int. Organ.; (United States) Vol. 35:1; ISSN INORB
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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