Opaque nuclear proliferation

Cohen, Akiba A.; Frankel, Benjamin

doi:10.1080/01402399008437417

Cited by 34 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 22 publications

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“…Frankel (1987, p. 124) coined the term 'opaque proliferation' to describe second-generation nuclear proliferators, which he and Cohen argue possess the following traits: no nuclear tests, denial of possession, no direct threats, no military doctrine, no military deployment, no open debate, and organizational insulation. Frankel and Cohen (1991) attribute the emergence of opaque proliferation primarily to the 1968 Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), which has led to the development of an international norm against further horizontal nuclear proliferation. Hagerty (1998, p. 2) notes that opaque proliferation 'has characterized every emerging nuclear power since China's nuclear explosive test in 1964, and the subsequent evolution of the non-proliferation norm in international politics'.…”

Section: Opaque Proliferationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Catalytic Deterrence? Apartheid South Africa's Nuclear Weapons Strategy

Goodson¹

2012

Politikon

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Although South Africa's nuclear decommissioning has received extensive analysis in the proliferation literature, few have devoted much attention to understanding how the apartheid government's purported weapons strategy modifies existing theories of nuclear deterrence. Importantly, a principal objective of South Africa's arsenal was not to deter hostile neighbouring countries by threatening tactical use of nuclear force as in classical deterrence theory, but instead to compel the intervention of an ambivalent ally, the United States. Thus, the case does not correspond to existing deterrence theories, which envision situations involving only a 'defender' and 'initiator', and more accurately may be conceptualized as 'catalytic deterrence'. While South Africa is a unique case of denuclearization, the country's nuclear strategy shares many characteristics with other 'opaque' proliferators, such as no nuclear tests, denial of possession, and no direct threats. Understanding the mechanism of South Africa's catalytic deterrent subsequently provides an important case to amend our notions of deterrence and how similar opaque arsenals -such as those of Israel -may be employed in the future.

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Section: Opaque Proliferationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Catalytic Deterrence? Apartheid South Africa's Nuclear Weapons Strategy

Goodson¹

2012

Politikon

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“…The lead piece in the volume, by Cohen and Frankel (1991), argued that opaque proliferation was a response to the NPT's success in delegitimating nuclear weapons desires. Quite surprisingly given their neorealist moorings, they accepted that the non-proliferation norm existed, and that it was powerful.…”

Section: Benjamin Frankel (Ed) Opaque Nuclear Proliferation (1991): mentioning

confidence: 99%

Nuclear Proliferation and Nonproliferation

2011

The Encyclopedia of Political Science

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“…As Cohen and Frankel put it, "Opacity thus depends on a continuous voluntary subversion of democratic institutions." 141 Concerns about preserving secrecy can also prompt harsh reactions by the state, with negative impacts on personal freedom and human rights. This is again especially true in opaque proliferators.…”

Section: Domestic Political Consequencesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Recasting the Proliferation Optimism-Pessimism Debate

Knopf¹

2002

Security Studies

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Opaque nuclear proliferation

Cited by 34 publications

References 22 publications

Catalytic Deterrence? Apartheid South Africa's Nuclear Weapons Strategy

Catalytic Deterrence? Apartheid South Africa's Nuclear Weapons Strategy

Nuclear Proliferation and Nonproliferation

Recasting the Proliferation Optimism-Pessimism Debate

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