The Politics and Technology of Nuclear Proliferation

By Robert Fred Mozley

Book Overview

Politics and technology intersect in the international effort to prevent nuclear proliferation. Written for scientists, policy makers, journalists, students, and concerned citizens, The Politics and Technology of Nuclear Proliferation makes a highly complex subject understandable. This comprehensive overview provides information about both the basic technologies and the political realities. Methods of producing weapon materials--plutonium and highly enriched uranium--as well as their use in bombs are described in detail, as is the generally successful international effort to prevent the spread of the ability to make nuclear weapons.

In explaining the problems the world will face if nuclear weapons become generally available, Mozley summarizes and reviews the methods used to prevent proliferation and describes the status of those nations involved in trade in nuclear materials. He places emphasis on the danger of attack by renegade nations or terrorist groups, particularly the possibility that weapon material might be stolen from the presently impoverished and unstable former Soviet Union.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0295977264
• ISBN13: 9780295977263
• Release Date: September 1998
• Publisher: University of Washington Press
• Length: 384 Pages
• Weight: 1.10 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 6.1" x 9.0"
• Grade Range: Postsecondary and higher

Customer Reviews

book is 10 years old and still relevant

When I first bought this book I figured that the only relevant material would be the science since the political side is almost ten years old, but I found that the politics is still relevant. In the end I found the entire book to be very informative and reader friendly, two things that I place a great value in for all books. I am not a nuclear physicist by any means, but I found the science to still be accessible. I only have a basic understanding of the physics and chemistry involved but the author doesn't go too in depth into the science in main text, but does add some appendixes for those who are much more versed than I in the scientific aspects. I think even for those who do not have a deep understanding of the processes you will still find the science elucidating. The technical aspects were very informative. The author goes into great detail about the materials required for the various separation processes. He talks about the different requirements for chemical, gaseous-diffusion and other separation methods, and then he goes on to talk about the benefits and drawbacks of each method for a developing nation attempting to develop the technology for nuclear weapons such as the difficulty of purchasing the materials needed for laser diffusion to the problems of hiding large facilities in other methods. With evolution of the NPT and other treaties in affect it has become increasingly difficult for developing nations to purchase materials that are used for the development of military use nuclear technology. The problem occurs with the dual use materials which are materials that are used for both peaceful and military purposes. The political side of the book was one of the biggest surprises for me. I expected much of the information to be out of date, and so my reading would be for more of a historical look at the pre-Sept. 11 world. What I found was that the problem of proliferation remains pretty much the same, as does the methods for combating proliferation. One of the main points I took from the book is the need for more international cooperation. The problem of proliferation is really just a problem of security no different really than a nation with conventional weapons superiority and a neighbor looking for parity. A big problem is that as long as any nation has these weapons there will be other nations that consider it to be of profound national security interest to counter a possible nuclear threat. Without a robust international organization with actual power to enforce rules and regulations on all parties there will be nations who will seek this technology. The author talks about ways in which the U.S. could protect itself from a possible attack, but I found these suggestions to be impractical. I think it is an impossibility to close off our borders whether land or sea from any attack. We have too much shipping and trade with our neighbors to the North and South for us to be able to ever become completely safe. The