Nuclear Weapons Essay

Question 1

Argument

Answer 1

Nuclear weapons are an effective tool in preventing a surge or increases in conventional warfare

Question 3

Theory and Definitions

Answer 3

Nuclear weapons are a strategic attempt to reduce threats of attack on state, conventional ore non-conventional.

In line with the Deterrence theory, which is the explanation of nuclear weapons being used to ensure international stability and reduce the threat of attack from adversaries

Question 4

Main Point 1

Answer 4

Point: Deterrence is the central logic and justification in the nuclear strategy

Question 5

Source 1/2

Answer 5

Source 1: WALTZ (1981) Nuclear weapons increase International stability, enforce caution, restraint as using the nukes will result in MAD. (therefore stopping countries going to war)

Source 2: Schelling (1996) nuclear weapons are not only physically destructive in nature they can be used for political bargaining and psychological influence.

Question 7

This Shows 1

Answer 7

This shoes: Deterrence theory creates stability; waltz introduces the idea of caution due to the increase cost of war and the destruction it would cause. Schelling looks to the strategic use of the nuclear threat to prevent attacks by adversaries. Together both views from a strong argument as to why the deterrence theory is important to International Security and stability in terms of preventing war.

Question 8

Main Point 2

Answer 8

Point: The possession of non-nuclear weapons is not only strategic, it is also shaped by normative constraints

Question 9

Source 3/4

Answer 9

Source 3: TANNENWALD (1999) argues that the development of the nuclear taboo challenges the realist view that strategy is why there is nuclear restraint.

Source 4: PRICE (1995) supports Tannenwald as the development of a norm can garner strength over time and become very embedded in societal beliefs

This shows: Brings in another factor other than strategic use to explain why nuclear weapons have not been used since 1945, and why governments practice caution when it comes to the use of nuclear arsenal

Question 10

This Shows 2

Answer 10

This shows: Brings in another factor other than strategic use to explain why nuclear weapons have not been used since 1945, and why governments practice caution when it comes to the use of nuclear arsenal

Question 11

Main Point 3

Answer 11

Point: that international frameworks are insufficient on there own to prevent nuclear use or proliferation.

Question 12

Source 5/6

Answer 12

Source 5: BYERS (2005) there is an inherent weakness to international legal regimes for powerful states, if a matter is important to a country they can be selective in their adherence to international law.

Source 6: Joyner (2009) NPT is asymmetrical as it legitimises the possession of nuclear weapons for a select few powerful countries while prohibiting other countries from acquiring them

Question 13

This Shows 3

Answer 13

This undermines the legal and moral authority of the system. International law is fragile as while providing an ideal nuclear framework, it cannot fully enforce states to abide. ultimately states in possession of nuclear weapons will base their use, of strategy, political and normative calculations, to preserve there interests.