Review (PDF) The Spread Of Nuclear Weapons: An Enduring Debate (Third Edition)
A long-time staple of International Relations courses, this new edition continues the important discussion of nuclear proliferation, while looking at the regions and issues now at the forefront of the nuclear question. Over the past fifteen years, The Spread of Nuclear Weapons has been a staple in International Relations courses because of its brevity and crystal-clear explanations. The new edition, An Enduring Debate, continues the important discussion of nuclear proliferation and the dangers of a nuclear-armed world. With new chapters on the questions surrounding a nuclear North Korea, Iran, and Iraq and the potential for a world free of nuclear weapons, this Third Edition will continue to generate a lively classroom experience.
Paperback: 288 pages
Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company; 3 edition (July 31, 2012)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0393920100
ISBN-13: 978-0393920109
Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 0.8 x 8.2 inches
Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
Best Sellers Rank: #44,502 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #8 in Books > Politics & Social Sciences > Politics & Government > International & World Politics > Arms Control #30 in Books > Textbooks > Social Sciences > Political Science > International Relations #33 in Books > History > Military > Weapons & Warfare > Nuclear
This books puts together two colliding authors on whether the proliferation of nuclear weapons is a good idea or not. Waltz, one fo the premier figures of realpolitik, argues (brilliantly, even though I disagree with him) that proliferation is a good idea. Sagan argues there are too many organizational risks in the proliferation system.The two present their arguments, and then respond to each other's argument. It is a fascinating argument, one that can be discussed in 1000 pages, but the authors do a tremendous job of synthesizing it and pointing out the major strenghts and weaknesses of each other's argument. In today's world, where we are willing to go to war to prevent proliferation, it is useful to take a step back and really understand what the main problems arising by proliferation are.
This book is presented in an academic debate style. Waltz beings with a discussion of why the spread of nuclear weapons is not detremental to world peace. Sagan counters, after which both comment on the recent spread of nuclear weapons to both India and Pakistan. Both then write a conclusionary essay, essentially restating the arguments they made earlier.This is a wonderful book for people interested in this aspect of international politics. Sagan and Waltz both make deep arguments, peppered with numerous historical references and held together by a sound logical structure. Though this book is quite complex, neither author writes in an overly academic style, which allows for a wide potential audience. You'll read more here about the theoretical logic behind the threat of nuclear war than you will about, say, the technical makeup of nuclear weapons.My only complaint about this work is that Scott Sagan's responses to Waltz seem specifically devised to tear Waltz's argument apart, rather than constructing a logical arugment of his own. This book also includes quite a deal of repetition. After reading both author's take on the potentiality of an India-Pakistan conflict, one feels exasperated to see Waltz merely reiterate what he said earlier. However, this is still the best book of its kind on this subject, one that any serious student of foreign policy should pursue.
Sagan and Waltz did this great little dance 4 times I think. And whichever side of the argument you fall on, one thing that's important to understand is that the Obama administration, through Drs. Walt and Mearsheimer, who are Waltz' students, actually does believe in Waltz' assertion that non proliferation is a bad and unstable situation for the world we live in. They are fans of a world where nations and near-nations should have atomic weapons, generally. Just something to keep in mind.
Scott Sagan and Kenneth Waltz are two of the most renowned political scientists of the last several decades. In the fourth edition of their seminal text: The Spread of Nuclear Weapons an enduring debate, the two giants of political science exchange rhetorical blows over whether more nuclear weapons are a good or bad thing for the world as a whole. Included in the fourth edition are expanded chapters on India-Pakistan, the Axis of Evil states (Iran, Iraq, and North Korea), and a debate over nuclear zero in the wake of President Obama’s comments about the future of nuclear weapons.
If you are interested in international relations/security, this is a classic. It is short and understandable. If you read this book closely and take the time to consider its application, you will find yourself frustrated at the crap the talking heads on TV come up with when talking about war and politics.
If you want to know anything about the arguments surrounding nuclear proliferation, this book is the foundation. Both authors are leading scholars in the field with very different views on nuclear proliferation, giving the reader the choice to choose which side of the debate they fall on or to create their own combination of the two views.
Is nuclear proliferation good? Does it increase stability? Or is it unstable, either because of accidents or misuse? Scott Sagan and Kenneth Waltz play out this debate in this book that looks at the nuclear question through organisational and realist perspectives. If you thought the answer to this debate was obvious, think again - this book will certainly leave you with a lot of questions.
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