ABSTRACT
This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book aims to illuminate arguments in favour of and against global zero, and explores alternative paths forward. It introduces a distinction between ‘old school’ and ‘new school’ disarmament. The book outlines the history of twentieth-century disarmament and arms control negotiations. It explains why previous agreements have achieved little beyond containing the spread of nuclear weapons. The book argues that nuclear disarmament and strategic stability are incompatible because arms reductions in ‘the new era of counterforce’ increase the vulnerability of arsenals to disarming attacks. It provides an ethical and realist approach to the ban treaty. The book describes a possible alternative to the ban treaty that could be to stick to the incremental approach to nuclear disarmament pursued by the major nuclear powers. It suggests that nuclear arms control and disarmament regimes are plagued by deepening crisis.
