ABSTRACT
This chapter explores psychological and societal factors that help reinforce inhibitions against using nuclear weapons. The chapter is a response to the continued erosion of international institutions that govern nuclear weapons as well as the worsening geopolitical environment for making progress towards nuclear disarmament. At a time when some of the factors that have helped prevent nuclear war are getting weaker, it is important to reinforce the guardrails that help prevent nuclear use. The chapter argues that leaders and publics need to hold a moderate level of fear of nuclear dangers, which it labels a ‘healthy fear’, in combination with a degree of hope that nuclear war can be avoided. These psychological states of mind can be encouraged by activities in civil society, including protest movements against nuclear weapons. The chapter concludes with several ideas for actions that can be taken in current circumstances that would help bring attention to the still-present risks posed by nuclear weapons.
