Journal Articles

The Causes of Nuclear Weapons Proliferation

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This critical review of the new political science literature on the causes of nuclear weapons proliferation consists of seven parts. The first section briefly presents what we know about which states developed nuclear weapons and which states started but abandoned weapons development programs. I highlight the problems that result from uncertainty about the accuracy and completeness of the data. The second and third sections review the literature on the spread of the technical capability to develop nuclear weapons. We still lack robust knowledge about the relationship between the development of civilian nuclear power programs and nuclear weapons acquisition. The next two sections review the literature on the demand for nuclear weapons. Comparative case studies and statistical studies have improved our understanding of the diversity of motives for weapons development and restraints, but serious gaps in our knowledge remain. The sixth section outlines alternative theories about the potential impact of the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) on nuclear weapons programs decisions. Finally, I lay out a future research agenda to address the weaknesses in our current understanding of the causes of nuclear proliferation.

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Detail Information

Series Title

Annual Review of Political Science

Call Number

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Publisher

California : Annual Reviews., 2011

Collation

p. 225–244

Language

English

ISBN/ISSN

10942939

Classification

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Content Type

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Media Type

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Carrier Type

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Edition

Volume 14, 2011 p. 225–244

Subject(s)

nuclear latency
non-proliferation treaty
plutonium reprocessing
uranium enrichment
International atomic energy agency

Specific Detail Info

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