Abstract
This study examines the factors affecting the emergence of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), which is the main mechanism of the international regime formed to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons, through the basic assumptions of the regime theories. This study addresses the following question: What factors were at play when the NPT was formed? This study’s research method is testing theoretical assumptions with a case study. Within this framework, the regime theories used in this study concern especially why states cooperate over a specific issue. Factors affecting the formation and persistence of regimes are examined through three different approaches in the regime theories: power-based, cognitive-based, and interest-based approaches. The NPT seems to have a two-tier structure. Still, all actors that become a party to the treaty benefit from this cooperation. In this context, this study argues that the assumptions of interest-based approaches about the emergence of the NPT are more explanatory than others.
Highlights
Nuclear weapons, which played a crucial role in ending World War II due to their unprecedented destructive capabilities, are among the most important threats to international peace and security
This study examines the factors affecting the emergence of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), which is the main mechanism of the international regime formed to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons, through the basic assumptions of the regime theories
States that do not want a nuclear disaster like the atomic bomb destruction of Hiroshima or Nagasaki to happen again, have decided to cooperate to control the use of atomic technology. This cooperation became institutionalized over time and turned into an international regime per Krasner’s definition of the “international regime” with the creation of the NPT, the most important mechanism created to control the spread of nuclear weapons
Summary
Nuclear weapons, which played a crucial role in ending World War II due to their unprecedented destructive capabilities, are among the most important threats to international peace and security. The formation of NPT is analyzed in this study through the lens of all three approaches of the regime theories to give a comprehensive theoretical explanation In this context, this study’s main research question regards the factors at play when the NPT was formed. States that become party to the treaty accept this twotier approach of the treaty In this context, the NPT is the cornerstone of the nuclear non-proliferation regime, since it regulates the behavior of actors concerning their use of nuclear technology. From the perspective of power-oriented approaches, power is an important factor in the emergence of the NPT, it is controversial why some states accept to give up their nuclear weapon option with this treaty. This study argues that the assumptions of interest-based approaches are more explanatory than the others regarding the NPT’s emergence
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