Trust in Nuclear Disarmament Verification

Description

This book explores how human factors, in particular the contested notion of trust, influence the conduct and practice of arms control verification. In the nuclear arena, disarmament verification is often viewed purely in terms of a dispassionate, scientific process. Yet this view is fundamentally flawed since the technical impossibility of 100 per cent verification opens the door to a host of complex issues and questions regarding the process and its outcomes. Central among these is the fact that those involved in any verification inspection process must inevitably conduct their work in a space that falls well short of absolute certainty. The lines between scientific enquiry and human psychology can become blurred and outcomes have the potential to be influenced by perceptions. Drawing on extensive empirical evidence, the authors explore the complex interplay between evidence-based judgements and perceptions of intentions that frames the science of verification. The book provides new insights into the role and influence of human factors in the verification process, shedding light on this ‘blind spot’ of verification research. It is an invaluable resource for practitioners, academics and students working in arms control and disarmament. Front Matter ....Pages i-ix Introduction (Wyn Q. Bowen, Hassan Elbahtimy, Christopher Hobbs, Matthew Moran)....Pages 1-17 Verification in the Nuclear Arena: Nature, Significance and Practice (Wyn Q. Bowen, Hassan Elbahtimy, Christopher Hobbs, Matthew Moran)....Pages 19-49 Nuclear Warhead Dismantlement Verification: Opportunities and Challenges (Wyn Q. Bowen, Hassan Elbahtimy, Christopher Hobbs, Matthew Moran)....Pages 51-74 The Human Side of Verification: Trust and Confidence (Wyn Q. Bowen, Hassan Elbahtimy, Christopher Hobbs, Matthew Moran)....Pages 75-97 Simulating Disarmament Verification: Design and Methods (Wyn Q. Bowen, Hassan Elbahtimy, Christopher Hobbs, Matthew Moran)....Pages 99-119 Trust and Verification: Empirical Insights (Wyn Q. Bowen, Hassan Elbahtimy, Christopher Hobbs, Matthew Moran)....Pages 121-148 Conclusion: Looking to the Future (Wyn Q. Bowen, Hassan Elbahtimy, Christopher Hobbs, Matthew Moran)....Pages 149-154 Back Matter ....Pages 155-176