Weapons sponsorship: Promoting strategic defense in the nuclear era

Thesis/Dissertation · Sat Dec 31 23:00:00 EST 1988

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
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

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