Flawed Logics

Strategic Nuclear Arms Control from Truman to Obama

James H. Lebovic

• Publisher: Johns Hopkins University Press
• Year: 2013
• eBook ISBN: 9781421411033
• Topic: Politics & International Relations
• Subtopic: Arms Control
• Index: Politics & International Relations

Can a nation accept limits in an arms competition?

James H. Lebovic explores the logic of seeking peace in an arms race. Flawed Logics offers a compelling intellectual history of U.S.-Russian strategic nuclear arms control.

Lebovic thoroughly reviews the critical role of ideas and assumptions in U.S. arms control debates, tying them to controversies over U.S. nuclear strategy from the birth of the atomic age to the present. Each nuclear arms treaty—from the Truman to the Obama administration—is assessed in depth and the positions of proponents and opponents are systematically presented, discussed, and critiqued. Lebovic concludes that the terms of these treaties with the Russians were never as good as U.S. proponents claimed nor as bad as opponents feared.

The comprehensive analysis in Flawed Logics is objective and balanced, challenging the logic of hawks and doves, Democrats and Republicans, and theorists of all schools with equal vigor. Lebovic's controversial argument will promote debate as to the very plausibility of arms control.

Table of contents

• Cover Page
• Title Page
• Copyright Page
• Dedication
• Contents
• Preface
• Introduction
• 1 Initial U.S. Nuclear Arms Control Initiatives: The Truman through Eisenhower Years
• 2 Early Success at Arms Control: The Kennedy Administration and the Limited Test Ban Treaty
• 3 The Era of Bilateral Nuclear Arms Limitations: The Johnson through Carter Years
• 4 Nuclear Arms Reductions in the Final Cold War Decade: The Reagan Years
• 5 Nuclear Arms Reductions after the Cold War: The George H. W. Bush through Obama Years
• 6 The United States and Strategic Nuclear Arms Control: Assessing Intentions, Constraining Capabilities
• Notes
• References
• Index