Conventional arms control and disarmament: Lessons from the interwar period

Abstract

Abstract This article argues that the overwhelming historical evidence leads to the conclusion that past efforts at arms control and forced disarmament have been unsuccessful. When ignoring the underlying political disputes of relations between states, arms control and disarmament efforts have tended to be short‐lived, e.g., the interwar period. The authors argue that where these efforts have been successful (e.g., the disarmament regime established by the Protocol to the Brussels Treaty of 1948 concerning the Federal Republic of Germany), the key has been that verification regimes have been accepted as legitimate by all parties. Regarding contemporary Europe, it would appear that the CFE treaty and the numerous CSBM arrangements effected between European and North American states have the essential elements of success, however, long term vigilance regarding verification will be required.