(GS 030) The Nuclear Revolution

4 Credits

The invention of nuclear weapons has revolutionized international politics more profoundly than anything since the invention of agriculture. States can now destroy each other without defeating each other militarily or even if defeated themselves, leading to elaborate concerns about nuclear deterrence, nuclear proliferation, and custody of fissile material. Some credit nuclear deterrence with making the Cold War into the Long Peace. This course explores these and related questions, including whether we can expect the Long Peace to continue. Attribute/Distribution: CC, SS, SW