Questioning the Effect of Nuclear Weapons on Conflict

Mark S. Bell, Nicholas L. Miller

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

64 Scopus citations

Abstract

We examine the effect of nuclear weapons on interstate conflict. Using more appropriate methodologies than have previously been used, we find that dyads in which both states possess nuclear weapons are not significantly less likely to fight wars, nor are they significantly more or less belligerent at low levels of conflict. This stands in contrast to previous work, which suggests nuclear dyads are some 2.7 million times less likely to fight wars. We additionally find that dyads in which one state possesses nuclear weapons are more prone to low-level conflict (but not more prone to war). This appears to be because nuclear-armed states expand their interests after nuclear acquisition rather than because nuclear weapons provide a shield behind which states can aggress against more powerful conventional-armed states. This calls into question conventional wisdom on the impact of nuclear weapons and has policy implications for the impact of nuclear proliferation.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)74-92
Number of pages19
JournalJournal of Conflict Resolution
Volume59
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Feb 19 2015

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© The Author(s) 2013.

Keywords

  • international conflict
  • nuclear proliferation
  • nuclear weapons

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