ABSTRACT
This chapter deals with the theory of democratic peace and the peace dividend. The argument is that the democratic peace in Bill Clinton's foreign policy had as its goal more cooperative relations with Russia. Furthermore, the allure of defence conversion contributed to the American decision making process in two ways: first, defence conversion in general was seen to assist the democratization process and facilitate the peace dividend. Second, conversion of Highly Enriched Uranium (HEU) itself was at the core of the HEU arrangement. According to the Clinton administration, the HEU Agreement would contribute to peace in two ways: first, by reducing proliferation perils; and second, by strengthening the Russian economy. Pursuing the HEU agreement was an American foreign policy decision, and like all decisions regarding relations beyond national borders, it was not made simply, nor in isolation.
