| ID | 077684 |
| Title Proper | Enlightenment in the second nuclear age |
| Language | ENG |
| Author | Ruhle, Michael |
| Publication | 2007. |
| Summary / Abstract (Note) | The debate on nuclear proliferation has become increasingly polarized. While there is widespread agreement on the perilous state of the traditional non-proliferation regime, the analyses of the causes differ widely. The liberal arms control community has sought to salvage the eroding non-proliferation regime both by overplaying its importance (nuclear enlightenment') as well as by blaming the policies of the nuclear weapons states, notably the United States. However, this view rests on several assumptions that have been increasingly revealed as myths: the myth of a universal non-proliferation norm generated largely by the Non-proliferation Treaty; the myth of a direct relationship between nuclear reductions and proliferation; and the myth of US policy being a cause of, rather than a reaction to, the non-proliferation crisis. Clinging to these myths is counterproductive, as it seeks to perpetuate old policies at the expense of new approaches. However, new approaches to non-proliferation are bound to gain in importance, even if they run counter to established arms control dogmas |
| `In' analytical Note | International Affairs Vol. 83, No.3; May 2007: p511-522 |
| Journal Source | International Affairs Vol. 83, No.3; May 2007: p511-522 |
| Key Words | Arms Control ; Nuclear Proliferation ; NPT |