A Review Essay of "Abolishing Nuclear Weapons" and a Response

{
  "authors": [
    "James M. Acton",
    "George Perkovich"
  ],
  "type": "legacyinthemedia",
  "centerAffiliationAll": "dc",
  "centers": [
    "Carnegie Endowment for International Peace"
  ],
  "collections": [
    "U.S. Nuclear Policy"
  ],
  "englishNewsletterAll": "",
  "nonEnglishNewsletterAll": "",
  "primaryCenter": "Carnegie Endowment for International Peace",
  "programAffiliation": "NPP",
  "programs": [
    "Nuclear Policy"
  ],
  "projects": [],
  "regions": [
    "North America",
    "United States"
  ],
  "topics": [
    "Nuclear Policy"
  ]
}

In The Media

A Review Essay of "Abolishing Nuclear Weapons" and a Response

James M. Acton and George Perkovich respond to a review essay by Elbridge Colby on Abolishing Nuclear Weapons.

By James M. Acton and George Perkovich

Published on Feb 1, 2009

Source: St Antony's International Review

In a review essay of Abolishing Nuclear Weapons by George Perkovich and James M. Acton, Elbridge Colby contends that the abolition of nuclear weapons seems unrealistic and particularly unappealing insofar as the goal of abolition would ostensibly require a world government.

In response, Acton and Perkovich emphasize that although the desirability of working toward the abolition of nuclear weapons does not necessarily make the end achievable, progress on disarmament should be viewed as a practical necessity whose central purpose is to enhance global security. “Improved global governance,” not a “global government” is the key to success.

Nuclear Policy North America United States

Carnegie does not take institutional positions on public policy issues; the views represented herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of Carnegie, its staff, or its trustees.

More Work from Carnegie Endowment for International Peace

Paper
Escalation Dynamics Under the Nuclear Shadow—India’s Approach
An exploration into how India and Pakistan have perceived each other’s manipulations, or lack thereof, of their nuclear arsenals.
Rakesh Sood
Paper
U.S. Peace Mediation in the Middle East: Lessons for the Gaza Peace Plan
As Gaza peace negotiations take center stage, Washington should use the tools that have proven the most effective over the past decades of Middle East mediation.
Amr Hamzawy, Sarah Yerkes, Kathryn Selfe
Commentary
Carnegie Politika
For Putin, Increasing Russia’s Nuclear Threat Matters More Than the Triad’s Modernization
For Putin, upgrading Russia’s nuclear forces was a secondary goal. The main aim was to gain an advantage over the West, including by strengthening the nuclear threat on all fronts. That made growth in missile arsenals and a new arms race inevitable.
Maxim Starchak
Commentary
Emissary
With the RAISE Act, New York Aligns With California on Frontier AI Laws
The bills differ in minor but meaningful ways, but their overwhelming convergence is key.
Alasdair Phillips-Robins, Scott Singer
Commentary
Emissary
The Trump-Modi Trade Deal Won’t Magically Restore U.S.-India Trust
Washington and New Delhi should be proud of their putative deal. But international politics isn’t the domain of unicorns and leprechauns, and collateral damage can’t simply be wished away.
Evan A. Feigenbaum

More Work from Carnegie Endowment for International Peace

Paper

Escalation Dynamics Under the Nuclear Shadow—India’s Approach

An exploration into how India and Pakistan have perceived each other’s manipulations, or lack thereof, of their nuclear arsenals.

Rakesh Sood

Trump stands in front of a blue screen reading "Board of Peace"

Paper

U.S. Peace Mediation in the Middle East: Lessons for the Gaza Peace Plan

As Gaza peace negotiations take center stage, Washington should use the tools that have proven the most effective over the past decades of Middle East mediation.

Amr Hamzawy, Sarah Yerkes, Kathryn Selfe

Commentary

Carnegie Politika

For Putin, Increasing Russia’s Nuclear Threat Matters More Than the Triad’s Modernization

For Putin, upgrading Russia’s nuclear forces was a secondary goal. The main aim was to gain an advantage over the West, including by strengthening the nuclear threat on all fronts. That made growth in missile arsenals and a new arms race inevitable.

Maxim Starchak

Hochel stading behind a dais, with a hand raised

Commentary

Emissary

With the RAISE Act, New York Aligns With California on Frontier AI Laws

The bills differ in minor but meaningful ways, but their overwhelming convergence is key.

Alasdair Phillips-Robins, Scott Singer

Wide shot of Trump and Modi, with Trump pointing

Commentary

Emissary

The Trump-Modi Trade Deal Won’t Magically Restore U.S.-India Trust

Washington and New Delhi should be proud of their putative deal. But international politics isn’t the domain of unicorns and leprechauns, and collateral damage can’t simply be wished away.

Evan A. Feigenbaum