Nuclear proliferation is the spread of nuclear weapons, fissionable material, and weapons-applicable nuclear technology and information to nations not recognized as "Nuclear Weapon States." It is divided into two types:
This is a core concept in Global Politics where a state's effort to increase its own security (by acquiring nuclear weapons) causes other states to feel less secure, leading them to acquire similar weapons, which paradoxically makes everyone less safe.
To manage the threat of nuclear war, the international community created several legal frameworks:
Based on three pillars: Non-proliferation, Disarmament, and the Right to peacefully use nuclear energy. It recognizes only 5 states as nuclear powers (USA, Russia, UK, France, China).
India's Stance: India refused to sign it, calling it "discriminatory" because it creates a permanent divide between nuclear "haves" and "have-nots."
A multilateral treaty that bans all nuclear explosions, for both civilian and military purposes, in all environments.
Note: It has not yet entered into force because several key states (including India, Pakistan, and the US) have either not signed or not ratified it.
International terrorism is the use of violence or the threat of violence to instill fear and attain political, religious, or ideological goals across national borders. Unlike traditional warfare, it targets non-combatants (civilians).
After the 9/11 attacks, global security shifted toward a "Global War on Terror."
Q: Why is the NPT called discriminatory?
A: Because it allows those who had nuclear weapons before 1967 to keep them while forbidding others from acquiring them.
Q: What is 'Cyber-terrorism'?
A: The use of computer networks to disrupt critical infrastructure (like power grids or banks) to cause fear or harm.
End of Unit 3 Notes | Prepared for DSC 352 | Knowlet