The Politics of Nuclear Non-proliferation

The politics of nuclear weapons proliferation is high on the international agenda. Deep divisions have emerged between the nuclear "haves" and "have-nots" over the appropriate next steps in arms control and disarmament. Here a group of Australian and international scholars analyze some of the key issues in the nuclear non-proliferation debate. For 30 years, the international community's main response to the threat of nuclear weapons proliferation has been to strengthen the institutions and agreements based around the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). But the NPT is under stress. Several states refuse to join the regime; others are attempting to acquire or develop nuclear weapons. Tensions between the major powers - such as recent debates over missile defence - threaten to undermine the non-proliferation norm. This book looks at the debate in three parts. In the first, the conceptual and legal foundations of nuclear arms control and non-proliferation are examined. In the second, contributors look at the non-proliferation agenda from the perspective of individual countries or regions, with the situation in Asia as a primary focus. The final part of the book explores how new and unconventional diplomatic approaches to nuclear arms control and disarmament are changing the international negotiating environment.