ABSTRACT
Global denuclearization will require some states to give up nuclear weapons. In the internal debate that will precede agreement, two closely related arguments against doing so will likely be made. Once an agreement has been reached and taken effect, a "defector" may turn against the agreement, choosing to go it alone: and while the problem of "defection" is in some respects unlike pursuit of "unilateralism," it springs from a unilateral preference and many fruitful responses are similar. A party dedicated to self-reliance will choose independence of action, rather than action concerted with others, and an autonomous weapons capability, rather than negotiated multilateral constraints. There is no necessary contradiction between self-reliance and judging that abolition serves interest. Where a subject concerns many states—world trade rules, global environmental protection, disarmament—its bilateral discussions with other governments may become centered on a formal international negotiation, leading to a broadly-subscribed treaty or convention.
