ABSTRACT
Article VI of the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty requires parties “…to pursue negotiations in good faith on effective measures relating to cessation of the nuclear arms race at an early date and to nuclear disarmament, and on a treaty on general and complete disarmament under strict and effective international control.” This treaty obligation codifies the basic premise that nuclear disarmament by the nuclear weapon states is a key to successful nuclear nonproliferation policy. Simply put, the logic is that if the “haves” give up their nuclear weapons, the “have nots” will no longer seek them. By disarming, the nuclear weapon states would provide an example for proliférants and potential proliférants to follow. Specifically, it is argued that disarmament would have at least two positive effects. First, nuclear-weapon possession would be discredited and would no longer be a means to acquire prestige. Second, proliférants would have no reason to seek nuclear weapons as a deterrent against nuclear weapon states.
