Alternative nuclear futures : the role of nuclear weapons in the post-cold war world / edited by John Baylis and Robert O'Neill.

Includes bibliographical references.

Introduction: The Contemporary Debate about Nuclear Weapons / John Baylis and Robert O'Neill -- 1. To Confuse Ourselves: Nuclear Fallacies / Colin Gray -- 2. The Unavoidable Importance of Nuclear Weapons / George H. Quester -- 3. Aspiration, Realism, and Practical Policy / Michael Quinlan -- 4. Eliminators, Marginalists, and the Politics of Disarmament / Lawrence Freedman -- 5. Nuclear Weapons, Prudence, and Morality: The Search for a 'Third Way' / John Baylis -- 6. Nuclear Weapons and the Post-Cold-War Middle East: Business as Usual / Efraim Karsh -- 7. The South Asian Nuclear Challenge / Ramesh Thakur -- 8. Nuclear Disarmament: The Case for Incrementalism / Harald Muller -- 9. The Elimination of Nuclear Weapons / Michael MccGwire -- 10. Reflecting on War in the Twenty-first Century: The Context for Nuclear Abolition / Robert S. McNamara -- 11. At the End of a Journey: The Risks of Cold-War Thinking in a New Era / Lee Butler --

12. Weapons of the Underdog / Robert O'Neill -- App. 1. Prepared Statement on the 'Future of Nuclear Deterrence' / Walter B. Slocombe -- App. 2. Legality of the Use by a State of Nuclear Weapons in Armed Confict / International Court of Justice, The Hague -- App. 3. Nuclear Weapons: The ICJ 1996 Pronouncement / Michael Quinlan -- App. 4. Executive Summary / The Canberra Commission on the Elimination of Nuclear Weapons.

"A major debate has emerged in recent years, which centres on the future role of nuclear weapons in world politics. Focusing attention to the role of nuclear weapons in the post-cold war world, the book argues that unlike the debates which emerged during the cold war period, the contemporary debate has taken place largely in private, with only limited involvement by the general public. What is also significant is the traditional 'left-wing' versus Establishment divide has also largely disappeared.

Furthermore, a growing number of senior military and defence officials and governments allied with the United States, openly advocate the abolition of nuclear weapons." "Contributions from leading academics highlight the key themes that have emerged in this debate. The book aims to generate a wider debate about a subject which, despite the changes that have taken place over the last two decades, continues to be of supreme importance."--BOOK JACKET.