ABSTRACT
Nuclear weapon states could choose to buy new "conventional" weapons, or pursue altogether new forms of warfare, even as they abandoned nuclear weapons. There would be calls for "compensatory" programs. Programs of limited scale, undertaken in consultation with other states, and undertaken as elements within a collective security scheme, would certainly not contradict denuclearization. If nuclear weapons ceased to exist, some states would be left with formidable conventional forces. In the easiest case, states compensate using familiar weapons systems. The general response is to place limits on major weapon systems and establish effective collective security forces, subject to authoritative agreements. Governments have come to understand that arms control can be in their national interest, but remain skeptical when assessing even well-designed collective security operations. When possible avenues to "compensation" are scouted, it no longer displays the larger-than-life character which could poison negotiation of zero nuclear weapons.
