What are the large-scale effects of nuclear proliferation?
Takeaway Points
- The threat of large-scale nuclear destruction deters war.
- Thus, mankind’s most deadly creation might actually be its best peacemaker.
- The peace will not work if one state can achieve a splendid first strike—nuclear attack that destroys most of the opposing nuclear arsenal.
- States therefore develop secure second strike capabilities to deter other states from launching preemptive nuclear attacks.