Chasing a Grand Illusion: Replacing Deterrence with Disarmament

by Keith B Payne

Chasing a Grand Illusion focuses on the positions expressed by church-based and secular scholars regarding the morality of nuclear weapons and effectiveness of deterrence. Of particular interest is their frequent conclusion that the solution to the threat posed by the existence of nuclear weapons is global nuclear disarmament and not what they describe as unacceptably dangerous policies of nuclear deterrence. The text examines the assumptions and logic of the narrative, common to church-based and secular commentary, that global disarmament is a safer and more effective path to addressing the threat posed by nuclear weapons than is continuing reliance on policies of deterrence. In particular, this study examines the frequently expressed proposal by church-based and secular proponents of global disarmament that disarmament can follow from the establishment of a new law-abiding global political order that is governed by a global orderer with the authority and power to mandate and enforce nuclear disarmament.

108 pages, Paperback

Published February 24, 2023

Reviews

[Alex · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a good, readable, and short book that highlights several of the key assumptions and obstacles nuclear disarmaments have to address before implementing their preferred nuclear-zero policy. Even if you disagree with the main premises, Keith Payne lays out the prerequisites and the transformation in the conditions of international relations necessary for nuclear-zero to be feasibly implemented. Well worth the read for anyone interested in the subject, regardless of where you lie on the subject.