This section examines the current political environment with a view to the goal of complete nuclear disarmament and the use of a nuclear weapons convention as a tool in that process. The contributions and quotes here point to the changing and changeable aspects of the international security environment, in which the decision to pursue nuclear disarmament is made and implemented. Some have argued, here and elsewhere, that nuclear disarmament cannot be achieved in one step or in one treaty. This seems indisputable, and the examples that follow point to the variety of perspectives and actions that shape nuclear disarmament.
Statements, resolutions, and analyses by governments and observers indicate that attention to the idea of a nuclear weapons convention is increasing. Although some of the opinions presented here do not directly advocate such a convention or framework approach, they demonstrate the role it can play in focusing the debate about the prohibition and elimination of nuclear weapons. They also illustrate that the achievement of a convention, or framework of conventions, builds on a range of efforts with a singular purpose, embodied in the concept of a nuclear weapons convention.
Following the overview of various resolutions and statements, as well as responses to the Model NWC, Alyn Ware analyzes the annual UN resolution that follows up on the 1996 advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice on the Legality of the Threat or Use of Nuclear Weapons. This resolution calls for negotiations leading to a nuclear weapons convention and indirectly raises questions about the element of time in the negotiation and pre-negotiation process.
Peter Nicholls discusses a workshop on the idea of a nuclear weapons convention, where issues critical to the future of nuclear disarmament were debated, using the Model NWC as a starting point. Jozef Goldblat looks at the elements of complete nuclear disarmament in the context of today’s political reality. Penelope Simons examines the role of law in shaping political reality, despite Realism, and Kathleen Sullivan provides an illustration of this role in her discussion of the recent Trident case. An update of this case and short analysis follow.
One conclusion that emerges from this section is that, among the nuclear weapon states, the UK is leading the world in the level of dialogue between the government and civil society. The debate over a nuclear weapons convention, in conjunction with the growing success of the Trident Ploughshares non-violent campaign, suggest a two-track strategy that might be effective for influencing other governments and alliances.
