Nuclear Deterrence, State Legitimation, & Liberal Democracy

The threat of nuclear war has haunted two generations since the end of World War II. Great arsenals of highly sophisticated weapons have been amassed as deterrents by East and West alike, and these are seen increasingly by many as more problem than solution. This article argues that the policy of nu...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Polity 1989-04, Vol.21 (3), p.563-586
Main Author: Rosow, Stephen J.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
CAPITALISM
Democracy
Deterrence
Economic liberalism
International economics
Liberalism
Military strategy
Nuclear deterrence
NUCLEAR WEAPONS
POLITICAL BEHAVIOR
Political debate
POLITICAL MOVEMENT
Weapons
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Summary:The threat of nuclear war has haunted two generations since the end of World War II. Great arsenals of highly sophisticated weapons have been amassed as deterrents by East and West alike, and these are seen increasingly by many as more problem than solution. This article argues that the policy of nuclear deterrence should be understood as a crisis that is more social, economic, and political than strategic and as one that is bound up with the legitimacy of the contemporary liberal-democratic, capitalist state. The author urges that deterrence be engaged as a system of social relations and not merely as a strategic doctrine.
ISSN:0032-3497
1744-1684
DOI:10.2307/3234748