Shadows on the Wall: Deterrence and Disarmament

by Keith B. Payne

Shadows on the Deterrence and Disarmament examines and contrasts the three alternative philosophical positions about the nature of the international system and patterns of human behavior that underlie three competing narratives seen in U.S. public debate regarding nuclear deterrence and disarmament. For over six decades, these three competing narratives, built on contrary philosophical traditions, have been the basis for contending positions regarding U.S. nuclear policy ranging from advocacy for complete global nuclear disarmament to advocacy for the maintenance of robust U.S. nuclear capabilities for deterrence. Each of these three different narratives is based on different speculative expectations about developments in the international system and future patterns of human behavior. Given the inherent uncertainties about future developments in the international system and human behavior, none of these narratives can be deemed to objectively correct, or certainly wrong. They may, nevertheless, be judged to entail different levels of prudence for U.S. and allied security.

204 pages, Paperback

Published March 10, 2020

Reviews

[Kameron · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very well-written analysis of Idealism/Realism and Easy/Difficult Deterrence, including the assumptions and arguments for/against each. If you don't want to read the whole book, the final chapter summaries the key points in ~30 pages.