The Dynamics of the Arms Race

The nuclear arms race dominated international politics for two decades before publication, and this symposium examines the dynamics of change and attempts to control it. It highlights the technological advancements that have outpaced nuclear disarmament efforts and the emergence of a bipolar international political system. The book discusses negotiations, prospects for further progress, and developments in chemical and biological warfare. It also surveys recent developments in conflict theory and its applications in various regions.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 248 pages
Publication date: 04 September 2022
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

For two decades, the nuclear arms race has dominated international politics, as explored in this symposium first published in 1975. Originally published in 1975, this symposium examines the dynamics of change within the arms race and the attempts to control and limit it.

At the time, the nuclear arms race was heavily technologically determined, as Herbert York demonstrated in discussing the impact of MIRV. Such progress as has been made in nuclear disarmament has been far outdistanced by the technological developments, so that, as Jack Ruina argues, SALT is only important when seen as part of a process of negotiating arms limitations.

The most significant result of this technological advance has been the emergence of a qualitatively new system of international politics, which Hans Morgenthau analyses. This system is essentially bipolar in nuclear terms, and the history of the disarmament negotiations, as reviewed by William Epstein, is an exercise in freezing this structure.

The negotiations themselves, particularly SALT, and the prospects for further progress are discussed extensively by Thomas Schelling, Kosta Tsipis, George Rathjens, and others. The book also surveys developments in chemical and biological warfare and includes an important paper on chemical warfare agents by the Soviet chemist, O.A. Ruetov.

The final section looks at recent developments in the theory of conflict and its applications in the Middle East, South Africa, and a number of developing countries.

Weight: 467g
Dimension: 216 x 138 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367532994