Book 20: The Spread of Nuclear Weapons: A Debate Renewed

NUMBER: 20
TITLE: The Spread of Nuclear Weapons: A Debate Renewed
AUTHOR: Scott D. Sagan and Kenneth N. Waltz
STARTED: March 28, 2005
FINISHED: April 3, 2005
PAGES: 184
GENRE: Political Science

FIRST SENTENCE: What will the spread of nuclear weapons do to the world?

SUMMARY: [From barnesandnoble.com] If the nuclear balance of terror helped maintain the 'long peace' between the United States and the Soviet Union during the Cold War, will the spread of nuclear weapons to new states also help stabilize international relations in the future? In this increasingly complex world, how do issues such as global terrorism, missile defense, and the Indian-Pakistani conflict factor into the decisions states make about nuclear weapons? In The Spread of Nuclear Weapons: A Debate Renewed, two major international relations scholars resume their well-known dialog about these important questions, as well as others. Kenneth Waltz, the dean of realist theory in international relations, expands on his argument that "more may be better," contending that new nuclear states will use their acquired nuclear capabilities to deter threats and preserve peace. Scott Sagan, the leading proponent of organizational theories in international politics, continues to make the counterpoint that "more will be worse": novice nuclear states lack adequate organizational controls over their new weapons, which makes for a high risk of either deliberate of accidental nuclear war. The global community has long been fascinated by—as well as terrified of—nuclear weapons. This short and engaging book is required reading for citizens and statesmen, as well as scholars and students.

REASON FOR READING: For my "Politics and Military Strategy" class.

THOUGHTS: Not bad. The book actually made the debate interesting. However, I have been reading about nuclear war and nuclear weapons and nuclear races and nuclear arms talks that there were some points where I just wanted to claw my eyes out or fall asleep. Had this been the only book I was reading for this class I would have enjoyed it much more.

To me some of the arguments are obliterated by the fact that they apply only to states and not to non-state actors. The last chapter of the book was the best. That is because its arguments were the most relevant. It dealt with terrorists and nuclear weapons. I only wished the authors had explored that point more.

MISCELLANEOUS: The consistency and feel of the paper reminded me of a coloring book.

KEEP/SHARE/CRINGE(?): Sell back
RATING: 5/10 [I didn't particularly like it or dislike it; mixed review]

CR: Blink by Malcolm Gladwell
RN: The Care and Feeding of Pirates by Jennifer Ashley