Global Warming Causes

Countries with Nuclear Power But No Weapons

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Many countries exhibit the other side of the coin: they have nuclear power but do not have nuclear weapons. Some have not shown any inclination toward weapons (e.g., Canada, Germany, and Japan).28 All have strong, comprehensive nuclear power programs and could easily develop weapons with no external aid. Sweden, which also has a strong civilian nuclear power program and technological base, embarked on a sophisticated program of weapons development, but the effort was abandoned before attracting much outside public attention [42]. Beyond these, Argentina and Brazil had moved toward obtaining nuclear weapons, and South Africa succeeded, but all three have given up these programs.

There are different motivations for abstaining from nuclear weapons: matters of principle, the belief that a nuclear weapons race would be counterproductive in terms of security, the lack of a threatening enemy, and the feeling that they are already under a protective umbrella established by the United States. Economic pressures also play a part. The action of Argentina in renouncing nuclear weapons was explained in terms that have a broad relevance to developing countries. As stated by the Argentinian Under Secretary of Foreign Affairs:

We found we were blacklisted by the international community for our aggressive policies and in the end found we had to cooperate with the netherworld of third-world countries.... The paradox was that Argentina was trying to reach high tech through its nuclear program, but because of a lack of openness Western countries made sure it would not get there. I think we have learned our lesson. [43]

28 Japan's position may change if North Korea pursues the development of nuclear weapons.

Here, the premise of the atoms-for-peace policy seems to have been vindicated. For countries seeking weapons, the stick is technological denial. For those that renounce them, the carrot is technological reward, possibly including help in obtaining commercial nuclear power—although the promise of this reward has not as yet been effective with North Korea.