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:
-
- 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}
}