British and French Nuclear Forces in the Second Nuclear Age

Abstract

The article outlines the main theoretical models of nuclear proliferation and
the motives that are driving states to obtain nuclear weapons. It also
focuses on theoretical concepts dealing with variants and alternatives of
the future fate of nuclear arsenals and roles played by nuclear weapons.
Attention is also paid to the roles of nuclear weapons in the past views of
Great Britain and France. The article analyses their motives for joining the
nuclear club and also the reasons that led them to keep their nuclear
arsenals in the second nuclear age. The authors conclude that these two
countries were driven to cross the nuclear threshold not just by security
motives, but by other motives as well. Because of the fact that some such
motives remain relevant even today, it is rather unlikely to presume that the
two states would be willing to abolish their nuclear arsenals in the
foreseeable future.