A Nuclear Submarine in the South Atlantic: The Framing of Threats and Deterrence

In this article, we analyse one aspect of Brazilian nuclear policy during the tenure of the Workers Party (2003-2016): the development of a nuclear-propelled submarine. We propose that the project of building a nuclear-propelled submarine has become possible partly because of the mobilisation of a s...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Contexto internacional 2017-08, Vol.39 (2), p.329-350
Main Authors: Herz, Mônica, Dawood, Layla, Lage, Victor Coutinho
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Armed forces
Brazilian Nuclear Policy
Construction
Deterrence
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
Nuclear Submarine
Nuclear weapons
South Atlantic
Submarines
Tenure
Threats
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Summary:In this article, we analyse one aspect of Brazilian nuclear policy during the tenure of the Workers Party (2003-2016): the development of a nuclear-propelled submarine. We propose that the project of building a nuclear-propelled submarine has become possible partly because of the mobilisation of a set of arguments for the construction of the South Atlantic as a strategic area, framed in terms of security and development. On the other hand, we contend that the need for a nuclear-propelled submarine is framed through the mobilisation of a specific notion of deterrence. In other words, we claim that the notions of 'strategic area', 'general deterrence', 'conventional deterrence', and 'deterrence by denial' can help us analyse the fundamental aspects involved in the framing of the South Atlantic as a security concern, justifying the nuclear-propelled submarine project.
ISSN:0102-8529
1982-0240
1982-0240
DOI:10.1590/s0102-8529.2017390200007