The nuclear non-proliferation treaty (NPT), 1958-2000: Issues, interests, and ideas

Abstract

This study seeks to explain and understand the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) newlinein world politics. The Treaty was signed in 1961 and entered into force in 1970. Since newlinethen, the NPT evolved into the global non-proliferation regime consisting of about 190 newlinemember-states by the beginning of this century. The Treaty set three objectives: (1) newlinenuclear non-proliferation, (2) nuclear arms control and disarmament, and (3) civilian newlinenuclear cooperation. newlineOn the one hand, it is widely regarded that the NPT is the most successful case of an newlineintemational security regime, and an indispensable foundation of the nuclear nonproliferation newlineregime and intemational arms control and disarmament efforts. It is difficult newlineto deny the positive role of the NPT to stop (reverse or delay) nuclear proliferation, and newlineits contribution to intemational security as a whole. On the other hand, the Treaty has newlinebeen intensively criticized for its discriminative nature and function at the NPT Review newlineConference since the 1970s. Non-Nuclear Weapon States, together with India, criticizes newlinethat five Nuclear-Weapon States especially the US and Russia do not make progress in newlinetheir nuclear arms control and disaHl1ament obligations. Although the 1995 NPT REC newlinesuccessfully decided its indcfinite extension, the NPT-based non-proliferation regime has newlinebeen increasingly facing problems and losing legitimacy and trust to deal with further and newlinenew proliferation challenge today . newline newlineThis study analyzes the NPT to seek answers to the questions about (1) its evolution and newlinedynamics, (2) its role and function, and (3) its meaning and relationship to the newlinefundamental dilemma of order versus justice in world politics. For this purpose, this newlineresearch uses three IR theories (Reaiism, Liberalism, and Grotianl Intemational Society newlinetheory). Based on theoretical and phiiosophical pluralism, comparative theoretical newlineperspectives/approaches shed light on various aspects and meanings of the subject issue.