Reading week 8

The Nuclear Taboo: An Overview

This document discusses the concept of the nuclear taboo as defined by Nina Tannenwald. It serves as an exploration of how the nuclear taboo has evolved over time, what influences its strength and the implications that arise from its current state.

Introduction to the Nuclear Taboo

The term "nuclear taboo" refers to the normative inhibition against the first use of nuclear weapons in conflict, which has been in effect since World War II. Following the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki by the United States in 1945, there has been a prominent expectation that nuclear weapons would be used again soon after, however, since then, nuclear weapons have not been utilized in war.

Historical Context and Key Figures

  • Presidents Harry Truman and Dwight Eisenhower rejected the use of nuclear weapons during the Korean War and the French-Indochina War, respectively.

  • President John F. Kennedy engaged in secret diplomacy with Nikita Khrushchev during the Cuban Missile Crisis, striving to avert nuclear confrontation.

This series of decisions has led to a 73-year tradition of the non-use of nuclear weapons, establishing the nuclear taboo as a foundational aspect of contemporary international politics.

Definition of the Nuclear Taboo

The nuclear taboo is defined as a "normative inhibition against the first use of nuclear weapons." It arose due to a pervasive sense of revulsion about the devastation caused by nuclear weapons, gaining acceptance within international communities, including formal endorsement by institutions like the United Nations. For example, in a joint statement by President Obama and Indian Prime Minister Singh in 2010, they emphasized the importance of reaffirming the international norm against the use of nuclear weapons.

Current Perceptions and Threats

Today, the prospect of nuclear weapon use is concerningly reemerging, illustrated by rhetorical threats from President Donald Trump in August 2017 against North Korea, invoking fears of a nuclear first strike. Such threats deviate from historical restraint observed by past American leaders. Tannenwald raises critical questions about the strength of the taboo and public sentiment towards nuclear weapon use in light of these developments.

Tannenwald's Previous Works

Tannenwald previously authored "The Nuclear Taboo: The United States and the Non-Use of Nuclear Weapons Since 1945," where she discussed the origins and implications of the nuclear taboo and its impact on U.S. leaders' decision-making regarding the use of nuclear weapons.

  • The role of the taboo was identified as a significant factor that constrained nuclear use, influenced by both morality and strategic considerations. Other scholars have explored how the nuclear taboo has affected nuclear-armed nations globally including Britain, France, Israel, Japan, Pakistan, and Russia.

A Weakened Taboo?

Currently, the nuclear taboo appears to be under threat from U.S. policy changes and the evolving global nuclear landscape characterized by several factors:

  1. Increased Number of Nuclear Powers: New nuclear states and existing major powers have been increasing their arsenals and modernizing nuclear strategies.

  2. Decreased Arms Control: The deterioration of arms control agreements (e.g., U.S. withdrawal from the ABM Treaty, Iran agreement) and a general retreat from arms control as a practice results in diminished norms regarding nuclear restraint.

  3. Geopolitical Strains: Heightened tensions in nuclear rivals, such as U.S.-Russia relations, contribute to an unstable nuclear environment. Strategies such as Russia’s potential use of nuclear weapons as a means of deterrence highlight the precarious nature of the taboo.

  4. Domestic Political Climate: Within the U.S., public opinion appears to become more accepting of nuclear weapon use, indicated by surveys suggesting a significant support for possible strikes under certain conditions.

The Implications of a Weakening Taboo

  • The weakening of the nuclear taboo could lead to an emergent normalization of nuclear rhetoric among state leaders, and decreased hesitation to use nuclear weapons during crises or conflicts, creating risks for global security.

  • The taboo serves as a deterrent against nuclear proliferation, therefore any erosion of this norm may result in increased proliferation efforts.

Evolving International Response and Initiatives

In this period of heightened concern regarding nuclear use, various initiatives have emerged to strengthen the taboo. The Nuclear Ban Treaty, adopted in July 2017 without support from nuclear powers, aims to legally prohibit the possession of nuclear weapons and serve as a formal recognition of the nuclear taboo. This treaty challenges existing deterrence policies and may foster domestic debates in nuclear states about the future of nuclear weapons.

Conclusion

Despite the challenges faced, there remains a widespread belief that nuclear weapons should not be used. The nuclear taboo's strength relies heavily on both international discourse and the behavior of nuclear-armed states. The future of this norm requires proactive engagement from leaders to reaffirm their commitments to non-use and to address the strategic tensions that threaten this taboo profoundly.