ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the scholarship on nuclear proliferation and evaluates their utility for a theoretical understanding of the problem. It focuses primarily on an examination of the causes of nuclear proliferation in protracted conflict states, to some extent it also deals with the consequences of proliferation, since it demonstrates the effectiveness of non-traditional nuclear deterrence among the protracted conflict states. Scholars have identified several motivations or incentives for states going nuclear. The chapter reviews the proliferation motivations and groups them into three categories—systemic, state, and individual actor—in accordance with the levels of analysis framework used by International Relations theorists. At the systemic level, many scholars treat security calculation as the most important incentive to acquire nuclear weapons. The system-level incentives, which include obtaining bargaining advantages, gaining international prestige, and seeking regional hegemony, are of limited value as long as a state does not officially declare its possession of nuclear weapons.
