PS 1581: Origins and Consequences of Nuclear Proliferation Capstone
William Spaniel
Fall 2020
Lecture: Mondays, Benedum G29, 1:45-4:10
Office Hours: Tuesdays, Posvar 4446, 1:00-3:00
Email: williamspaniel@gmail.com
For more than 70 years, nuclear weapons have had a central role in international relations, beginning with Cold War diplomacy between the United States and Soviet Union to ongoing negotiations with Iran and North Korea today. This class investigates why states develop nuclear weapons and how nuclear weapons affect international politics following proliferation. We will use a seminar method, with students presenting existing research papers and others commenting and criticizing the work. The class culminates in students developing their own papers.
Syllabus
Reading List
All Slides
Full Playlist
November 9
Class Materials: The Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, Atoms for Peace and the Problems with Civilian Nuclear Cooperation, The International Atomic Energy Agency, Weapons Inspections
November 2
Class Materials: Nuclear Compellence, Nuclear Deterrence, Compellence versus Deterrence: A Phantom Distinction, Mutually Assured Destruction
October 26
Class Materials: The Failed Agreed Framework
October 19
Class Materials: Bluffing Preventive War, Intelligence Failures, The Risk-Return Tradeoff, Costly Signaling, Civil War Intervention
October 12
Class Materials: The Hidden Problem with Nuclear Black Markets, The Soviet Union’s Mad Scramble to Build Nuclear Weapons, How Secret Weapons Programs Cause War, The Iran Deal and Nuclear Divestment
October 5
Class Materials: Virtual Nuclear Deterrents, Do Agreements Constrain?, The Shifting Credibility of Preventive War
Bonus: Incapacitated Presidents and Nuclear Codes
September 28
Class Materials: Nuclear Mishaps, Rogue Agents and Nuclear Terrorism, Bargaining over the Bomb
September 21
Class Materials: Problems with Preventive War, Nuclear Sabotage, Are Sanctions Effective?, Accidental Nuclear War
September 14
Class Materials: The Security Model, The Prestige Model, Domestic Politics, How Expensive Are Nuclear Weapons?, Preventive War
September 7
Class Materials: How Implosion Type Bombs Work, How Boosted Fission Bombs Work, How Hydrogen Bombs Work, How Destructive Are Nuclear Weapons?, Nuclear Weapons Delivery Systems, The Capacity Model
August 31
Class Materials: Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Ukraine, Nuclear Pursuers, Nuclear Explorers, How to Fuel a Nuclear Bomb, How Gun Type Bombs Work
August 24
Class Materials: Introduction, Recognized Nuclear States, Unrecognized Nuclear States
William Spaniel 