Introductory description

The election of Donald Trump has proven momentous in world politics. On issues from climate change, through immigration, to trade politics the results of US foreign policy under Trump can be likened to poking a big stick into a hornet’s nest: unpredictable and potentially dangerous. Nowhere is this more obvious than in the realm of nuclear diplomacy, where Trump has both threatened and courted the North Korean dictator, Kim Jong-un, over the nuclear weapons programme under way in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. Under Trump’s leadership, the US has also withdrawn from the Iran nuclear deal of 2016 and questioned the future of NATO.

With questions of nuclear strategy, proliferation, and diplomacy once again at the forefront of world politics, this module considers the dynamics of contemporary nuclear proliferation. At its core, the module poses a deceptively simple question: why do states build (or threaten to build) nuclear weapons?

To answer this question, the module opens with a consideration of the history of nuclear weapons, of nuclear fear, and of theories of proliferation. This historical, cultural and theoretical overview supports a basic understanding of the dynamics of nuclear proliferation as portrayed in the established literature.

The module then turns to the contemporary scene: interrogating the key claims made in the academic literature through detailed examination of contemporary case studies. These case studies examine the policies of the ‘Tier 1’ nuclear states (the US & Russia), with an emphasis on vertical proliferation; and also the strategic, financial and diplomatic dilemmas faced by the ‘Tier 2’ nuclear states (China, France, the UK). The module then adopts a regional focus: examining the circumstances shaping the evolution of nuclear proliferation in North East Asia, the Middle East, South Asia and, finally, Africa and South America.

Module aims

Outline syllabus

This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.

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Learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students should be able to:

• Demonstrate a sound grasp of the main theoretical arguments and substantive issues regarding nuclear proliferation
• Demonstrate understanding of historical and contemporary developments in nuclear proliferation
• Demonstrate knowledge of the key actors in the global and regional politics of nuclear weapons, and the institutions and processes through which they interact
• Present work coherently and to a high academic standard.

Indicative reading list

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Subject specific skills

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Transferable skills

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