Why do states develop nuclear weapons and why do some states, that have the technological capacity to build nuclear weapons, nonetheless refrain from doing so? What are the consequences of new states deploying nuclear weapons? Do arms control treaties and the laws of armed conflict influence nuclear proliferation and nuclear war plans? What is the relationship between the spread of nuclear energy and the spread of nuclear weapons? We will first critically examine the political science, legal, and historical literature on these key questions. Students will then design and execute small research projects to address questions that have been inadequately addressed in the existing literature.
3-5 units · Letter or Credit/No Credit
Why do states develop nuclear weapons and why do some states, that have the technological capacity to build nuclear weapons, nonetheless refrain from doing so? What are the consequences of new states deploying nuclear weapons? Do arms control treaties and the laws of armed conflict influence nuclear proliferation and nuclear war plans? What is the relationship between the spread of nuclear energy and the spread of nuclear weapons? We will first critically examine the political science, legal, and historical literature on these key questions. Students will then design and execute small research projects to address questions that have been inadequately addressed in the existing literature.
Offered in Autumn 2025 at Stanford University.