Curbing the arms race: arms control and world politics
Andrew Butfoy
8 points
* 3 hours per week
* Second semester
* Clayton
Objectives This subject has three objectives: (a) to introduce students to many of the most important attempts to control the development and spread of military power; (b) to show how arms control and disarmament measures can be placed into the context of broader concerns for peace and world order; and (c) to foster in students the capacity to present reasoned, soundly structured and well presented analyses of arms control/disarmament issues.
Synopsis The subject starts with an introduction to the ideas and issues involved in efforts to curb the international competition in weaponry. It then focuses on aspects of US-Russian nuclear arms control. Next, the arms control implications of `common' and `cooperative' security are examined; this includes consideration of such things as the `security dilemma', `confidence and security building measures', and `non-offensive defence'. This is followed by a study of efforts to restrain the proliferation of nuclear, chemical, biological and high technology conventional weapons. Finally, the prospects for further arms control are discussed in the light of current developments in world politics.
Assessment One essay (3000 words): 50%
* Examination (3 hours):
50%
Recommended texts
Butfoy A `The evolving framework for arms control' in Australian Journal of International Affairs 48:1, pp 37-51, 1994
Vogele W Stepping back: Nuclear arms control and the end of the cold war Praeger, 1994
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