Publication
Title
The nuclear security discourse : proliferation vs disarmament concerns
Author
Abstract
The phrase proliferation concern tags its subject circumstances, a government, a policy, a capability as a threat to the nuclear non-proliferation regime. It is applied as a discursive tool in the increasingly powerful nuclear security discourse, reinforced by successive US presidents to frame an understanding of nuclear relations in the language of US interests and national security. This article investigates the evolution of this discourse and what the phrase proliferation concern means in nuclear arms control parlance and practice from the point of view of non-nuclear weapon states, especially the emerging powers. Emerging powers (like Brazil, Turkey and South Africa) struggle with the hype around nuclear security that is used to restrict rights to civilian nuclear technology while endlessly postponing nuclear disarmament. For these states, the discourse brings about disarmament concerns. The article uses the South African case study to illustrate the problematic nature of this discourse.
Language
English
Source (journal)
South African journal of international affairs
Publication
2014
ISSN
1022-0461
DOI
10.1080/10220461.2014.965273
Volume/pages
21 :3 (2014) , p. 321-334
Full text (Publisher's DOI)
Full text (open access)
Full text (publisher's version - intranet only)
UAntwerpen
Faculty/Department
Research group
Project info
Publication type
Subject
Affiliation
Publications with a UAntwerp address
External links
VABB-SHW
Record
Identifier
Creation 20.11.2014
Last edited 07.10.2022
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