ABSTRACT
This chapter sets the stage to comprehend disarmament discourse since the advent of the nuclear age. The chapter presents a study of institutional, normative and political developments relating to nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament. The main question addressed in this chapter is as to how structure relating to nuclear non-proliferation, arms control and disarmament evolved from the outset to govern the weapon of mass destructions (WMDs). The further question addressed is the impact of the UN-based multilateral platforms in shaping the disarmament discourse. Instead of building a chronological order, this chapter generates a debate thematically in order to understand different strands of the non-proliferation regime building comparative analysis as to why some of the instruments of the regime have proven to be successful while others remained ineffective. It seeks to develop understanding on how lack of transparency in some of the regimes led to crisis of trust between NWS and NNWS thereby affecting the progress on nuclear disarmament.
