The Failure of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty

Abstract

The Nuclear Non- Proliferation Treaty came into effect in 1970 and it is considered as the successor of many non-proliferation treaties implemented since 1945. Although the Non-Proliferation Treaty has been able to prevent nuclear proliferation to some extent, it has failed to achieve complete non-proliferation. This research will explore the reasons lying behind the failure of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. The study is based on secondary data which was gathered from journal articles, books, newspaper articles, annual reports, and reviews of United Nations reports and resolutions, as well as other reading materials related to the subject area. This study is primarily a qualitative analysis of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty; quantitative methods are also used in the following manner: a qualitative approach is used to analyze the motivations and causes for states to acquire or purchase nuclear weaponology- while quantitative methods will be used to explore how nuclear proliferation has occurred to date. The study specifically illustrates that Cold War geopolitics between the United States and former Soviet Union is rooted in nuclear proliferation. The study also outlines that as long as there is a struggle for power between the United States and Russia, complete non-proliferation is not realistic to achieve. Apart from those reasons, the lack of universality, the possibility of withdrawal, inadequate verification, and the lack of enforcement have also identified as reasons limiting the effectiveness of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty