Politics of Nuclear Weapons

This course will examine the origins of the drive for nuclear weapons, the history of the nuclear nonproliferation regime, and incentives and disincentives for nuclear proliferation and nonproliferation. Students will analyse current nuclear weapons states, “threshold” states, and states that purposefully chose to forego nuclear weapons development - as well as the importance of non-state actors who seek to influence these states. The course will also explore the contemporary disarmament debate to shed light on the major obstacles to nuclear disarmament and possible paths around them. Finally, students will evaluate future trends in nuclear politics, from the importance of regional efforts toward disarmament to the critical role civil society may play in influencing the global nuclear future.