Arms control: misplaced focus
Most of the nuclear debate consists of arguments about which weapons systems should be built, controlled, canceled, frozen, or retired. Short of virtually complete, multilateral nuclear disarmament, however, no change in the pace, balance, or even the direction of the arms race can make much difference in the risk of nuclear war, the damage should one occur, or the division of international political power. This includes Star Wars, the nuclear freeze, and even large cuts in or stabilization of offensive nuclear arsenals. A better starting point for nuclear politics would be the insight that nuclear weapons have completely changed the logic of power as it has been handed down through the ages. Military force, perfected to its highest level, has invalidated itself - for in a nuclearized world, any resort to force by a nuclear power risks escalation to its ultimate level, and thus to oblivion for all. Trying to rationalize and control the ultimate force is far less realistic and important than limiting the provocation of conflict and the use of force at lower, non-nuclear levels - by the United States, it clients, and, to the extent possible, its adversaries. 13 references.
- Research Organization:
- Boston College, MA (USA)
- OSTI ID:
- 6873311
- Journal Information:
- Bull. At. Sci.; (United States), Vol. 42:3
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
29 ENERGY PLANNING
POLICY AND ECONOMY
ARMS CONTROL
ATTITUDES
NEGOTIATION
NUCLEAR WEAPONS
MILITARY STRATEGY
PROLIFERATION
WEAPONS
350100* - Arms Control- Policy
Negotiations
& Legislation- (1987-)
290600 - Energy Planning & Policy- Nuclear Energy