Political Science · Boston College
How have nuclear weapons influenced international relations? What can nuclear weapons teach us about international relations theory? This course is divided into two main sections. The first section analyzes competing IR theories regarding the strategic utility of nuclear weapons and the causes of proliferation: Under what conditions will nuclear weapons act as an effective deterrent? Can nuclear weapons be used to coerce or blackmail? Does nuclear acquisition embolden states to pursue more aggressive foreign policies? How and why do states acquire nuclear weapons? The second portion of the cou
