THE DEPROLIFERATOR — Whether from the mouths of foreign-policy professionals or members of the public, we’re all familiar with this refrain: “Sure, it would be nice to get rid of nuclear weapons. But deterrence has kept us safe for 50 years. If it’s not broke, don’t fix it.”

Or as the authors of a recent article in Strategic Studies Quarterly write (quoting another author): “The web of social and political life is spun out of inclinations and incentives, deterrent threats and punishments.” Take away the latter two and international society depends entirely on the former — a utopian thought impractical “this side of Eden.” Continue reading →