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Full-Text Articles in Social and Behavioral Sciences

Democratic Decay: Public Deliberation And Nuclear Weapons, Frank Applebaum Jan 2024

Democratic Decay: Public Deliberation And Nuclear Weapons, Frank Applebaum

CMC Senior Theses

Many modern nations that consider themselves democracies rely on strategy of national defense involving nuclear weapons. These weapons, however, almost always require a compromise of many of the values these democracies typically claim to value and uphold in the world. Most importantly, the deliberative process that is required for democracy is removed from the decision to either launch or not launch nuclear weapons. Even if policies were changed to attempt to make the process for democratic, research shows that there is reason to believe nuclear weapons would be incompatible with democracy practically as well as theoretically. Nuclear weapons and nuclear …


Does The Weapon Of Mass Destruction Impact Masses Equally? Examining The Disproportionate Impacts Of Nuclear Weapons, Carley Barnhart Jan 2022

Does The Weapon Of Mass Destruction Impact Masses Equally? Examining The Disproportionate Impacts Of Nuclear Weapons, Carley Barnhart

CMC Senior Theses

Regarded as the most powerful weapon ever created, the nuclear weapon is associated with mass destruction and even total annihilation. This thesis aims to answer the question: does the weapon of mass destruction impact masses equally? The use of three theoretical lenses is employed to guide this thesis’ analysis: the lenses of internal colonialism, neocolonialism, and feminism. These lenses allow for previously marginalized experiences to be placed at the center of analysis. The entirety of the ‘nuclear web’, from nuclear scholarship and nuclear decision-making to weapons design, creation, production, and disarmament is analyzed to understand the total impacts of the …


After Deterrence: Policy Choices During Crises Of Conventional And Nuclear Direct Deterrence Failure, Yang Gyu Kim Nov 2019

After Deterrence: Policy Choices During Crises Of Conventional And Nuclear Direct Deterrence Failure, Yang Gyu Kim

FIU Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Despite a plethora of research on the conditions of successful deterrence, the literature has been remarkably silent on the aftermath of its possible failure. Especially in the situation of direct deterrence where the defender’s people and territory are at stake, the defender experiences tremendous pressure and stress when a challenger defies the former’s threat. Due to the high interest at stake, direct deterrent threat is regarded as the most credible type of deterrence and, according to the literature, is most likely successful. How could an intrinsically credible threat fail? What should the defender do when direct deterrence fails and its …


Will The Trump-Kim Meeting Go Nuclear? The Role Of First Impressions, Ibpp Editor Jun 2018

Will The Trump-Kim Meeting Go Nuclear? The Role Of First Impressions, Ibpp Editor

International Bulletin of Political Psychology

How might the upcoming meeting of U.S. President Donald Trump and D.R.N.K Kim Jong-un be affected by their first impressions of each other? This article describes some findings and implications of relevant psychological research.


"Do As I Say, Not As I Do": An Examination Of The Impact The United States Has On Nuclear Weapons Norms, Alex Kenchi Ohlendorf Jan 2018

"Do As I Say, Not As I Do": An Examination Of The Impact The United States Has On Nuclear Weapons Norms, Alex Kenchi Ohlendorf

CMC Senior Theses

This thesis explores the reputation that the United States has for supporting and promoting three norms related to nuclear weapons: nonproliferation, non-use, and deterrence, while simultaneously examining the impact that United States actions can have on the saliency of the norms themselves. Ultimately, the United States has the ability to considerably impact the saliency of international nuclear norms, and has encouraged other states to accept and abide by them. However, there exists a disparity between the words and actions of the United States. In effect, the United States may “talk the talk” by expressing support and attempting to influence other …


Brexit Vote Could Allow For Nuclear Weapons Rethink, Erika Simpson Jul 2016

Brexit Vote Could Allow For Nuclear Weapons Rethink, Erika Simpson

Political Science Publications

The Brexit vote has significant implications for nuclear weapons policy, particularly regarding Scotland and the UK's Trident system. Should Britons vote for Brexit, Scotland, led by the Scottish National Party (SNP), might pursue independence and seek the removal of Trident nuclear submarines currently based at Faslane. This would force the UK to find an alternative location for its sea-based nuclear warheads, potentially costing billions. The decision could also impact broader nuclear disarmament efforts, as an independent Scotland and a changing UK stance might align with NATO states that prohibit nuclear weapons on their soil. Such shifts could contribute to international …


Determining The Significance Of Alliance Pathologies In Bipolar Systems: A Case Of The Peloponnesian War From 431-421 Bce, Anthony Lee Meyer Jan 2016

Determining The Significance Of Alliance Pathologies In Bipolar Systems: A Case Of The Peloponnesian War From 431-421 Bce, Anthony Lee Meyer

Browse all Theses and Dissertations

The literature proposes that bipolar systems and international systems with nuclear weapons will not have significant issues with alliance pathologies. But are alliance pathologies really insignificant in Bipolar Systems? The problem is that the literature only describes bipolar systems with nuclear weapons, so one cannot discern whether bipolarity or nuclear weapons alone are responsible for the insignificance of these alliance pathologies. So to solve this problem, this paper will examine a bipolar system in Classical Greece during the time of the Peloponnesian War to isolate any possible influence that nuclear weapons may have on alliance pathologies. This will be done …


A Case Study: The Diefenbaker Government's Shifting Nato Commitments, Erika Simpson Aug 2015

A Case Study: The Diefenbaker Government's Shifting Nato Commitments, Erika Simpson

Erika Simpson

No abstract provided.


The Traditional Beliefs And Assumptions Of Defenders, 1957-1963, Erika Simpson Aug 2015

The Traditional Beliefs And Assumptions Of Defenders, 1957-1963, Erika Simpson

Erika Simpson

No abstract provided.


Leader's Belief Systems And Canada's Defense Commitments, Erika Simpson Aug 2015

Leader's Belief Systems And Canada's Defense Commitments, Erika Simpson

Erika Simpson

No abstract provided.


The Roulette Wheel Is Spinning On A U.S.-Iran War, Erika Simpson Aug 2015

The Roulette Wheel Is Spinning On A U.S.-Iran War, Erika Simpson

Erika Simpson

No abstract provided.


Freezing Out The Nukes, Erika Simpson Aug 2015

Freezing Out The Nukes, Erika Simpson

Erika Simpson

No abstract provided.


New Ways Of Thinking About Nuclear Weapons And Canada's Defense Policy, Erika Simpson Aug 2015

New Ways Of Thinking About Nuclear Weapons And Canada's Defense Policy, Erika Simpson

Erika Simpson

No abstract provided.


Nato And The Bomb, Canadian Defenders Confront Critics, Erika Simpson Aug 2015

Nato And The Bomb, Canadian Defenders Confront Critics, Erika Simpson

Erika Simpson

No abstract provided.


Nato Reform: New Strategies To Advance International And National Security, Erika Simpson Aug 2015

Nato Reform: New Strategies To Advance International And National Security, Erika Simpson

Erika Simpson

No abstract provided.


Freezing Out The Nukes, Erika Simpson May 2014

Freezing Out The Nukes, Erika Simpson

Political Science Publications

No abstract provided.


Policy Imperatives For An Arctic Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone, Erika Simpson Oct 2012

Policy Imperatives For An Arctic Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone, Erika Simpson

Political Science Publications

No abstract provided.


Iran; A Nuclear Super Power? Understanding Nuclear Ambitions, Lindsey Sera Jan 2012

Iran; A Nuclear Super Power? Understanding Nuclear Ambitions, Lindsey Sera

Dissertations and Theses

"Iran is a nation in flux, with a history of political strife and revolution. The everchanging political atmosphere in the nation has made Iran an unpredictable political actor. It is a nation coping with a new governing system, just a few decades out from a revolution from the reign of the Shah of Iran. The fall of reformism has left the nation politically isolated from the international community. Iran is a nation on the brink of nuclear weapon capabilities and with strained relations there is little comfort in sight for an amicable solution. The conservatives of today's Iran seek independence …


To Think Nuclear, To Go Nuclear, Ibpp Editor Apr 2010

To Think Nuclear, To Go Nuclear, Ibpp Editor

International Bulletin of Political Psychology

The article discusses three of the many psychological problematics about nuclear weapons, weapons employment, and war underlying the language of policies, programs, plans, treaties, and one’s support or rejection of them.


Pakistan’S Nuclear Weapons Program And Implications For Us National Security., Michael Tkacik Jan 2010

Pakistan’S Nuclear Weapons Program And Implications For Us National Security., Michael Tkacik

Faculty Publications

This article analyzes Pakistan’s nuclear weapons program and the characteristics of the environment in which the program is nested. These characteristics include Pakistan’s history of internal and external instability; nuclear saber rattling during crises; support for Islamic terrorism in order to advance state goals; indigenous production of many elements of its nuclear forces; possession of delivery and command and control systems with destabilizing characteristics; and finally, nuclear doctrine that appears to advocate first use of nuclear weapons. The article argues that the characteristics of Pakistan’s nuclear weapons program generate threats to US national security interests. The article examines six interrelated …


The Roulette Wheel Is Spinning On A U.S.-Iran War, Erika Simpson Nov 2007

The Roulette Wheel Is Spinning On A U.S.-Iran War, Erika Simpson

Political Science Publications

This article examines the escalating tensions between the United States and Iran, focusing on the potential for military conflict. The author, Erika Simpson, explores the geopolitical dynamics and the statements from key political figures that suggest an increasing likelihood of war. President George W. Bush's remarks about preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons, coupled with similar sentiments from other U.S. political leaders, highlight the aggressive stance of the U.S. administration. The article also considers the international response, particularly from Russia, which opposes any military action against Iran. With both nations holding substantial nuclear arsenals on high alert, the risks of …


The Roulette Wheel Is Spinning On A U.S.-Iran War, Erika Simpson Nov 2007

The Roulette Wheel Is Spinning On A U.S.-Iran War, Erika Simpson

Political Science Publications

No abstract provided.


Trends. A Case For Less Powerful Nuclear Warheads, Ibpp Editor Jun 2003

Trends. A Case For Less Powerful Nuclear Warheads, Ibpp Editor

International Bulletin of Political Psychology

This article considers the strategic and political implications of developing less powerful nuclear warheads.


Trends. North Korea, The United States, And Causal Relevance: Relevant To The Contemporary Conflict?, Ibpp Editor Jan 2003

Trends. North Korea, The United States, And Causal Relevance: Relevant To The Contemporary Conflict?, Ibpp Editor

International Bulletin of Political Psychology

This Trends article discusses the importance of social inferential differences in the analysis of the intentions of adversaries, especially in crises. Countries discussed include North Korea (DPRK) and the United States.


North Korea And The United States: A Nuclear Family Of Conditionings, Ibpp Editor Jan 2003

North Korea And The United States: A Nuclear Family Of Conditionings, Ibpp Editor

International Bulletin of Political Psychology

This article posits several cognitive heuristics that may at least metaphorically constitute the North Korean and United States Governments’ operational codes of international security decision-making.


Nato Reform: New Strategies To Advance International And National Security, Erika Simpson Jan 2003

Nato Reform: New Strategies To Advance International And National Security, Erika Simpson

Political Science Publications

No abstract provided.


Trends. The Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty: Philosophy Without A Stone, Ibpp Editor Jul 2001

Trends. The Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty: Philosophy Without A Stone, Ibpp Editor

International Bulletin of Political Psychology

This article discusses support for and opposition to the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty, or CTBT, for nuclear weapons.


Trends. The Nature Of Security Agreements: An Example From The Nuclear Weapons Arena, Ibpp Editor May 2001

Trends. The Nature Of Security Agreements: An Example From The Nuclear Weapons Arena, Ibpp Editor

International Bulletin of Political Psychology

This article discusses the nature of nuclear weapons security agreements, and the surrounding belief systems.


Falling Dominoes In 2001: Nuclear Weapons And Weapons Of Mass Destruction, Ibpp Editor Mar 2001

Falling Dominoes In 2001: Nuclear Weapons And Weapons Of Mass Destruction, Ibpp Editor

International Bulletin of Political Psychology

This article describes psychologies of inevitability and their foundations pertaining to nuclear weapons and weapons of mass destruction.


Trends. Nuclear Weapons Redux, Ibpp Editor Mar 2001

Trends. Nuclear Weapons Redux, Ibpp Editor

International Bulletin of Political Psychology

This article discusses rationales for reducing the number of nuclear weapons worldwide.