Science, Technology and the Nuclear Arms Race

A comprehensive survey of the nuclear arms race from a technological point of view, which will appeal to the scientist and non-scientist alike. Provides information for the layman on this current topic and is designed for undergraduate courses in political science, history, international studies, as well as physics courses on the subject. Explores the motivation behind the development of various nuclear arms technologies and their deployment and examines the effects these technologies have on military, political and social strategies. Discusses the nature of deterrence and alternatives to it, arms control, and disarmament.

Partial table of contents: NUCLEAR ARMS. Nonnuclear Strategic War. The Fission Bomb. The Fusion Bomb. Massive Retaliation. THE NUCLEAR BALANCE. Strategic Bombers. Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles. Nuclear Missile Submarines. Nuclear Deterrence and Stability. ALTERNATIVES TO NUCLEAR DETERRENCE. Civil Defense. Ballistic Missile Defense. Chemical and Biological Warfare. Tactical Nuclear War. ARMS CONTROL AND DISARMAMENT. Technological Imperatives. Nuclear Proliferation: A Technological Imperative? Arms Control: Nuclear Test-Ban Treaties. Strategic Arms Limitations. Disarmament. Index.