The Politics of Nuclear Proliferation: Nuclear History, Strategy, and Statecraft

A large triangular structure made of jagged stone rests on an empty plain.

The Trinity Site Obelisk National Historic Landmark, which marks the site where the world's first nuclear device was exploded on July 16, 1945, in New Mexico. (Image courtesy of Jeremy on flickr. License CC BY.)

Instructor(s)

MIT Course Number

17.473

As Taught In

Fall 2015

Level

Undergraduate

Cite This Course

Course Description

Course Description

This course provides an introduction to the politics and theories surrounding the proliferation of nuclear weapons. It introduces the basics of nuclear weapons, nuclear strategy, and deterrence theory. It also examines the historical record during the Cold War as well as the proliferation of nuclear weapons to regional powers and the resulting deterrence consequences.

Related Content

Francis Gavin. 17.473 The Politics of Nuclear Proliferation: Nuclear History, Strategy, and Statecraft. Fall 2015. Massachusetts Institute of Technology: MIT OpenCourseWare, https://ocw.mit.edu. License: Creative Commons BY-NC-SA.


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