If the nuclear balance of terror helped maintain the 'long peace' between the united States and the Soviet Union during the Cold Ware, will the spread of nuclear weapons to new states also help stabilize international relations in the future? In this increasingly complex world, how do issues such as global terrorism, missile defense, and the Indian-Pakistani conflict factor into the decisions states make about nuclear weapons? In The Spread of Nuclear Weapons: A Debate Renewed, two major international relations scholars resume their well-known dialogue about these important questions, as well as others. Kenneth Waltz, the dean of realist theory in international relations, expands on his argument that "more may be better," contending that new nuclear states will use their acquired nuclear capabilities to deter threats and preserve peace. Scott Sagan, the leading proponent of organizational theories in international politics, continues to make the counterpoint that "more will be worse": novice nuclear states lack adequate organizational controls over their new weapons, which makes for a high risk of either deliberate of accidental nuclear war. The global community has long been fascinated by—as well as terrified of—nuclear weapons. This short and engaging book is required reading for citizens and statesmen, as well as scholars and students.

When political scientists Sagan (Stanford U.) and Waltz (Columbia U.) wrote their 1992 exploration of the consequences of the spread of nuclear weapons, the main public concern was Iraq. Here they update their account by adding concerns as of their writing.
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In The Spread of Nuclear Weapons: A Debate Renewed, professors Waltz and Sagan resume their well-known dialogue concerning nuclear proliferation and the threat of nuclear war.

Kenneth Waltz, Dean of Realist Theory in international relations at Columbia University, expands on his argument that more may be better, contending that new nuclear states will use their acquired nuclear capabilities to deter threats and preserve peace. Scott Sagan, the leading proponent of organizational theories in international politics, continues to make the counterpoint that more will be worse: novice nuclear states lack adequate organizational controls over their new weapons, resulting in a higher risk of either deliberate of accidental nuclear war. Treating issues from the 'long peace' between the United States and Soviet Union made possible by the nuclear balance of the Cold War to more modern topics such as global terrorism, missile defense, and the Indian-Pakistani conflict, The Spread of Nuclear Weapons: A Debate Renewed is an invaluable addition to any international relations course.

Includes bibliographical references (p. [185]-206) and index.

Scott D. Sagan is professor of political science at Stanford university and co-director of the Center for International Security and Cooperation. He is the author of The Limits of Safety: Organizations, Accidents, and Nuclear Weapons and Moving Targets: Nuclear Strategy and National Security. Kenneth N. Waltz is adjunct professor of political science at Columbia University. His books include Man, the State, and War: A Theoretical Analysis and Theory of International Politics.