The Nuclear
Nonproliferation Regime
Maria Rost Rublee, Ph.D.

What is a “regime”?
 “Set of implicit or explicit principles, norms,
rules, and decision-making procedures
around which actor expectations converge in
a given area” (Krasner 1983).
 A regime is more than an institution.

Components of the Nonproliferation Regime
 Formal treaties and agreements:
 Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty (NPT)
 Nuclear-weapons free zones
 Partial Test Ban Treaty
 Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty
 Institutions
 International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)
 UN Security Council
 Conference on Disarmament (CD)

Components of the Nonproliferation Regime
 Norms:
 Nuclear taboo / no first use
 Nuclear forbearance
 Right to nuclear energy
 Informal groups:
 Zangger Committee
 Nuclear Suppliers Group
 New Agenda Coalition
 Middle Powers Coalition
 Parliamentarians for Nuclear Nonproliferation and
Disarmament

Components of the Nonproliferation Regime
 Nongovernmental organizations:
 Peace Action
 Nuclear Threat Initiative
 Disarmament & Security Centre
 Peace Depot
 Global Zero
 IPPNW
 Hundreds / thousands of others

Components of the Nonproliferation Regime
 Unfinished business
 Fissile Material Cut-off Treaty
 Nuclear Weapons Convention
 Multilateral organization for fissile material sales