ABSTRACT
This chapter considers the various political objectives that might be met by arms control: the improvement of East-West relations by throwing the arms race into reverse; the exertion of leverage over the Soviet Union; the reinforcement of the established security framework; or the reassurance of public opinion. It is generally taken to offer a more wholesome prospect for East-West relations than continued tension, harsh rhetoric and an accelerating arms race. It is widely believed that this is in fact the case, but the arms race on its own provides an inadequate explanation for the course of East-West relations. Furthermore, even had it done so, there was no guarantee that a quiet interlude in international affairs, suggestive of more 'responsible' Soviet behaviour and so justifying the passage of a new treaty, might not be ended by a sudden crisis and a bout of Soviet activism.
