Nuclear Weapons Politics and Governance

Nuclear weapons are arguably the most powerful weapon created. Their unique destructive potential raises serious questions for international politics and security, both for countries that have them and those that do not. Why haven't nuclear weapons been used in war since 1945? Why have some states given them up, even as others have grown their arsenals? Is arms control dead? This course examines the international politics of nuclear weapons in the context of efforts to govern their possession and use. It introduces key concepts and debates in nuclear weapons politics, as well as the history of nuclear weapons development. Next, it looks at past efforts to govern nuclear weapons possession and proliferation, testing, and use, as well as the state of that governance today. Finally, it examines current and future challenges, such as AI, space, and the risk of arms racing among intensifying great power competition.