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Title: The arms control agenda at the UN: Breaking new ground or breaking old habits?

Abstract

The US opposition to debating a new international disarmament agenda for the coming decade seem ill-considered. There is inevitably a handsome majority for disarmament resolutions, especially nuclear disarmament. But to assess a resolution`s significance, it is more important to look at which countries co-sponsored it; whether a resolution did better or worse in previous sessions; and the balance of power on the vote, particularly which states registered votes against. Consensus at the United Nations can be an indication of a significant breakthrough in support of a resolution, which could lead to negotiations and ultimately a new security-enhancing arms control treaty. Alternatively, a UN consensus may simply reflect widespread endorsement of diplomatic rhetoric on an issue that no one wants to be seen as being against, but which is not likely to move forward.

Authors:
 [1]
  1. Disarmament Intelligence Review, London (United Kingdom)
Publication Date:
OSTI Identifier:
535133
Resource Type:
Journal Article
Journal Name:
Arms Control Today
Additional Journal Information:
Journal Volume: 26; Journal Issue: 10; Other Information: PBD: Jan-Feb 1997
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
35 ARMS CONTROL; ARMS CONTROL; GOVERNMENT POLICIES; NUCLEAR DISARMAMENT

Citation Formats

Johnson, R. The arms control agenda at the UN: Breaking new ground or breaking old habits?. United States: N. p., 1997. Web.
Johnson, R. The arms control agenda at the UN: Breaking new ground or breaking old habits?. United States.
Johnson, R. 1997. "The arms control agenda at the UN: Breaking new ground or breaking old habits?". United States.
@article{osti_535133,
title = {The arms control agenda at the UN: Breaking new ground or breaking old habits?},
author = {Johnson, R},
abstractNote = {The US opposition to debating a new international disarmament agenda for the coming decade seem ill-considered. There is inevitably a handsome majority for disarmament resolutions, especially nuclear disarmament. But to assess a resolution`s significance, it is more important to look at which countries co-sponsored it; whether a resolution did better or worse in previous sessions; and the balance of power on the vote, particularly which states registered votes against. Consensus at the United Nations can be an indication of a significant breakthrough in support of a resolution, which could lead to negotiations and ultimately a new security-enhancing arms control treaty. Alternatively, a UN consensus may simply reflect widespread endorsement of diplomatic rhetoric on an issue that no one wants to be seen as being against, but which is not likely to move forward.},
doi = {},
url = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/535133}, journal = {Arms Control Today},
number = 10,
volume = 26,
place = {United States},
year = {Wed Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1997},
month = {Wed Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1997}
}