Originally published in 1993, this volume was unique in its scope and approach: Unlike most literature on nuclear weapons proliferation at the time, the essays in this volume offer theoretical discussions and suggest testable hypotheses about the causes and effects of nuclear weapons proliferation. The proliferation of nuclear weapons is an ideal subject for social science scholarship, and such scholarship is especially timely now. Among the topics discussed in The Proliferation Puzzle are: The building of nuclear weapons is a complex task touching upon many of the subjects of study at the core of social science and international relations. Nuclear weapons may be acquired as a hedge against external threat, for reasons of national prestige, or as a result of pressures by domestic coalitions among scientists, bureaucrats, and the military. They may be sought for defensive purposes or to support hegemonic aspirations. Nuclear weapons also raise questions about civilian command and control, especially in crisis situations. During the last two decades the acquisition of nuclear weapons has been proscribed by the non-proliferation regime. The decisions countries made about acquiring these weapons and the manner they chose to build them serve as a test of the efficacy of this particular regime, and of international regimes more generally. Nuclear weapons were introduced at the time bipolarity became the international order. As the world moves away from bipolarity, there is a need to answer questions such as: What would be the effect of nuclear weapons in a multipolar order? How will the spread of nuclear weapons affect the distribution of capabilities among states? If nuclear weapons spread to additional countries, will they enhance stability or exacerbate instability? Can the spread of these weapons be managed or controlled? This book brings together scholars from different schools within international relations and the social sciences to address the question of why nuclear weapons spread. A disciplined, rigorous examination of proliferation is important not only for scholarship but also for informed policymaking. The purpose of social science is to formulate hypotheses and devise theories that advance our understanding of society and aid in the fashioning of enlightened policy. The essays in this volume show how explicit hypotheses about the causes and consequences of nuclear weapons proliferation provide a deeper understanding of the problem and suggest specific, theory-informed policy recommendations.

Originally published in 1993, this volume was unique in its scope and approach: Unlike most literature on nuclear weapons proliferation at the time, the essays in this volume offer theoretical discussions and suggest testable hypotheses about the causes and effects of nuclear weapons proliferation. The proliferation of nuclear weapons is an ideal subject for social science scholarship, and such scholarship is especially timely now. Among the topics discussed in The Proliferation Puzzle are: The building of nuclear weapons is a complex task touching upon many of the subjects of study at the core of social science and international relations. Nuclear weapons may be acquired as a hedge against external threat, for reasons of national prestige, or as a result of pressures by domestic coalitions among scientists, bureaucrats, and the military. They may be sought for defensive purposes or to support hegemonic aspirations. Nuclear weapons also raise questions about civilian command and control, especially in crisis situations. During the last two decades the acquisition of nuclear weapons has been proscribed by the non-proliferation regime. The decisions countries made about acquiring these weapons and the manner they chose to build them serve as a test of the efficacy of this particular regime, and of international regimes more generally. Nuclear weapons were introduced at the time bipolarity became the international order. As the world moves away from bipolarity, there is a need to answer questions such as: What would be the effect of nuclear weapons in a multipolar order? How will the spread of nuclear weapons affect the distribution of capabilities among states? If nuclear weapons spread to additional countries, will they enhance stability or exacerbate instability? Can the spread of these weapons be managed or controlled? This book brings together scholars from different schools within international relations and the social sciences to address the question of why nuclear weapons spread. A disciplined, rigorous examination of proliferation is important not only for scholarship but also for informed policymaking. The purpose of social science is to formulate hypotheses and devise theories that advance our understanding of society and aid in the fashioning of enlightened policy. The essays in this volume show how explicit hypotheses about the causes and consequences of nuclear weapons proliferation provide a deeper understanding of the problem and suggest specific, theory-informed policy recommendations.

The concept of identity has gained increasing currency in international relations scholarship, but it offers too many vague and imprecise definitions of the concepts that stand at its very core. Most of this scholarship does not go beyond the mere assertion that identity is important and that somehow, in one way or another, it plays a role in how many states define and pursue their national interests. As a consequence many scholars have argued that the identity school had little to offer, and that norms and institutions offered explanations similar to those drawn from identity. This text offers clear definitions of the concept of identity and the concepts surrounding the term, and aims to demonstrate the causal link between identity and the behaviour of states.

Realism has been the subject of critical scrutiny for some time and this examination aims to identify and define its strengths and shortcomings, making a contribution to the study of international relations. The essays offer an analysis of the logic and history of theories in the realist family, and demonstrate the value of scholarship that looks beyond fleeting intellectual fads to the enduring themes of life in a crowded and dangerous world.

This examination of nuclear arms control addresses the question of what kind of posture do second generation nuclear weapons states adopt in a world in which the presumption of non-proliferation is accepted?

Amos Perlmutter has devoted his academic career to the study of comparative politics, international relations and modern authoritarianism. He has written 14 books and more than 70 articles in academic journals. He has also been a prolific contributor to newspapers in the United States and abroad and offered commentary on TV and radio shows. These essays analyse and explain some of his thinking.

The concept of identity has gained increasing currency in international relations scholarship, but it offers too many vague and mimprecise definitions of the concepts that stand at its very core. Most of this scholarship does not go beyond the mere assertion that identity is important and that somehow, in one way or another, it plays a role in how many states define and pursue their national interests. As a consequence many scholars have argued that the identity school had little to offer, and that norms and institutions offered explanations similar to those drawn from identity. This text offers clear definitions of the concept of identity and the concepts surrounding the term, and aims to demonstrate the causal link between identity and the behaviour of states.

Political realism sees politics as a permanent struggle for power and security. When applied to international relations, it has sought to explain how states seek to preserve themselves in an environment characterized by anarchy and the ever-present threat of aggression. The essays in this volume examine the tradition of realist political analysis of international relations from the Sophists and Thucydides to the modern era.

History in Dispute offers students different critical perspectives on major historical events, drawn from all time periods and from all parts of the globe. Each volume has a thematic, era or subject-specific focus that coincides with the way history is studied at the academic level. Each volume contains roughly 50 entries, chosen by an advisory board of historians and academics.

Offers students different critical perspectives on major historical events, drawn from all time periods and from all parts of the globe. Each volume has a thematic, era or subject-specific focus and contains roughly 50 entries. Entries begin with a brief overview summarizing the controversy followed by two or more signed, point-counterpoint essays.

Offers students different critical perspectives on major historical events, drawn from all time periods and from all parts of the globe. Each volume has a thematic, era or subject-specific focus and contains roughly 50 entries. Entries begin with a brief overview summarizing the controversy followed by two or more signed, point-counterpoint essays.