The nuclear taboo

This chapter evaluates the status and role of the nuclear taboo in contemporary world politics, particularly its role in stemming the proliferation and use of nuclear weapons, and its relationship to both deterrence and disarmament. What are its future prospects? What policies will strengthen it? What will lead to its demise? The chapter argues that while nuclear weapons are less and less likely to be used by a major nuclear power, the commitment to the taboo among some of the 'new' nuclear powers may be tenuous and needs to be strengthened. The taboo has had three main effects: first, the taboo has made it impossible to view nuclear weapons as 'just another weapon'. Second, the taboo has reinforced mutual deterrence among nuclear powers, that is, it has helped to undergird and reinforce stable nuclear deterrence. Third, at the same time, the taboo has undermined deterrence between nuclear and non-nuclear states.