Date of Award/Publication

12-2007

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

M.S. in International Studies

Department

International Studies

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to trace the historical nature of nuclear weapons development since the end of World War II. The argument asserts that the world has seen a drastic increase in the risk of a future nuclear incident due to the policies that were enacted during the Cold War and beyond. After the collapse of the Soviet Union the United States missed an opportunity to help usher in a new time of nuclear dismantling and as such the increased volatility in the world today lends to increased risk in nuclear incident. This paper will discuss the ramifications of new nuclear policies and how the old policy of deterrence is a natural logical conclusion to the current policies. It will conclude by stating that the United States should take a dramatic lead in abolishing all current and future stockpiles of nuclear weapons.

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