The world is in a second nuclear age in which regional powers play an increasingly prominent role. These states have small nuclear arsenals, often face multiple active conflicts, and sometimes have weak institutions. How do these nuclear states--and potential future ones--manage their nuclear forces and influence international conflict? Examining the reasoning and deterrence consequences of regional power nuclear strategies, this book demonstrates that these strategies matter greatly to international stability and it provides new insights into conflict dynamics across important areas of the world such as the Middle East, East Asia, and South Asia. Vipin Narang identifies the diversity of regional power nuclear strategies and describes in detail the posture each regional power has adopted over time. Developing a theory for the sources of regional power nuclear strategies, he offers the first systematic explanation of why states choose the postures they do and under what conditions they might shift strategies. Narang then analyzes the effects of these choices on a state's ability to deter conflict. Using both quantitative and qualitative analysis, he shows that, contrary to a bedrock article of faith in the can of nuclear deterrence, the acquisition of nuclear weapons does t produce a uniform deterrent effect against opponents. Rather, some postures deter conflict more successfully than others. Nuclear Strategy in the Modern Era considers the range of nuclear choices made by regional powers and the critical challenges they pose to modern international security.
Product Identifiers
Publisher
Princeton University Press
ISBN-10
0691159831
ISBN-13
9780691159836
eBay Product ID (ePID)
208798959
Product Key Features
Author
Vipin Narang
Format
Trade Paperback (US), Paperback
Language
English
Subject
International Relations
Type
Textbook
Dimensions
Weight
485g
Height
229mm
Width
152mm
Additional Product Features
Place of Publication
New Jersey
Spine
21mm
Series Title
Princeton Studies in International History and Politics
Content Note
4 Line Illus. 10 Tables. 4 Maps.
Prizes
Winner of International Studies Association International Security Studies Section Best Book Award 2015.
Author Biography
Vipin Narang is assistant professor of political science and member of the Security Studies Program at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.