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Explaining Nuclear Rollback: Examining the Cessation of Nuclear Weaponization in Argentina and Brazil from 1964 – 1994

Douglas, Billy Michael

Abstract Details

2018, Master of Arts (MA), Wright State University, International and Comparative Politics.
Seventy years after the first use of nuclear weapons in World War II, the proliferation of these apocalyptic munitions remains a key policy issue on the international stage. The available literature on nuclear proliferation suggests a strong correlation between the threat of rival a state seeking nuclear weapons and a state’s own decision to pursue its own nuclear weapons. Regional rivals Argentina and Brazil both initiated nuclear weapons programs and were also developing nuclear delivery systems; however, these countries were able to step out of this dyadic proliferation spiral and renounced their nuclear weapons programs. Often assumed a success of the burgeoning nonproliferation regime embodied by the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, some scholars view Argentina and Brazil as boldly resistant to the aggressive posture of the extra-regional regime. Which International Relations (IR) theory is best suited to explain the proliferation outcomes of Argentina and Brazil? More specifically, were Argentina and Brazil’s nuclear proliferation decisions driven more by security, norms, or domestic politics? A case study of this dyad will be done using process tracing to determine which theory best supports the nuclear re-posturing of each country.
Liam Anderson, Ph.D. (Committee Chair)
Carlos Costa, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
Vaughn Shannon, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
82 p.

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Douglas, B. M. (2018). Explaining Nuclear Rollback: Examining the Cessation of Nuclear Weaponization in Argentina and Brazil from 1964 – 1994 [Master's thesis, Wright State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=wright1527180006454249

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Douglas, Billy. Explaining Nuclear Rollback: Examining the Cessation of Nuclear Weaponization in Argentina and Brazil from 1964 – 1994. 2018. Wright State University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=wright1527180006454249.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Douglas, Billy. "Explaining Nuclear Rollback: Examining the Cessation of Nuclear Weaponization in Argentina and Brazil from 1964 – 1994." Master's thesis, Wright State University, 2018. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=wright1527180006454249

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)