11. NUCLEAR DILEMMAS IN THE 21st CENTURY

Abstract

A nuclear future cannot be outlined in isolation from general trends of world development. After the fall of Communism in Central and Eastern Europe as well as in the former Soviet Union, there was much optimism and hope in the West. The end of the Cold War decreased radically the risk of nuclear war in Europe and in the other parts of the world. At the time, many believed that the main global, political and ideological confrontation had been eliminated erasing the very raison d’être for nuclear deterrence. The need for nuclear weapons, at least with regard to the most important and dangerous East-West axis of world politics, had been removed. In addition, globalization was engaging nations in an interconnected economy and integrated society, providing the conditions considered necessary for international stability. The prospect of a less conflicted and more peaceful world caused many to believe that the role of nuclear weapons would decrease as tensions relaxed and stability restored.

Citation

Fedorov, Y.E. (2005), "11. NUCLEAR DILEMMAS IN THE 21st CENTURY", Intriligator, M.D., Nikitin, A.I. and Tehranian, M. (Ed.) Eurasia (Contributions to Conflict Management, Peace Economics and Development, Vol. 1), Emerald Group Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 111-121. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1572-8323(04)01011-2