A Decade of Nuclear Scholarship in Security Studies
The last decade has witnessed a renaissance of the study of nuclear weapons. This resurgence of interest is timely, as the world appears to be entering a new nuclear age, characterized by increased tensions between great powers and the modernization of most nuclear powers’ arsenals.
The research published in Security Studies has been an important part of this renaissance. The articles in this virtual issue advance our understanding of nuclear dynamics in three core areas: (1) the motivations for counterproliferation policies, (2) the effectiveness of these policies, and (3) the impact of nuclear weapons on deterrence and compellence. Though the articles all make distinct contributions, there are common themes in their findings.
The Bentley and Whitlark articles demonstrate that nonproliferation and counterproliferation policies are often driven by the ideas and personal beliefs of leaders, while the Butt and Kroenig articles show that geopolitical considerations are relevant too, with powerful states motivated to maintain their dominance.
The pieces by Koch, Lindsay, Miller, and Sadot highlight the nuanced impacts of counterproliferation policies, showing that in some areas (export controls, use of force) they are more effective than commonly perceived, though in other areas (cyber-attacks) they may be less effective than the prevailing wisdom suggests.
Security Studies articles have also made important contributions to the debate on nuclear deterrence and compellence. The pieces by Avey, Dill, Sagan, and Valentino, and Long and Green suggest nuclear weapons may not have the restraining impact that theories of mutually assured destruction or the nuclear taboo imply, while Kydd’s article suggests neither nuclear optimists nor pessimists accurately characterize the impact of nuclear weapons. Finally, the articles by Cho, McManus, and Volpe call into question how effective nuclear compellence is, suggesting it may only work under very narrow conditions.
Edited by
Nicholas L. Miller(Government Department, Dartmouth College)