Global Governance in Non-proliferation:A Realist Perspective

SHEN Dingli

Abstract: In the age of globalization, national states still adhere to the tradition and principle of defending their sovereignty. From a realist perspective, the proliferation of WMDs (Weapons of Mass Destruction) is driven mainly by security motives. In order to solve this problem, alternative trusted security products must be provided and both collective defense and cooperation security are possible options. Hegemony may assure short-term stability, but it is more likely to lead to long-term instability due to the proliferation of WMDs. It is worth noticing that although the proliferation of WMDs may easily undermine regional stability, WMDs can also be used to balance the hegemony and thus produce new stability. Nevertheless, the rationality of individual actors does not necessarily guarantee the rationality of the whole system. Therefore, global governance placing equal emphases on both national security and international security is the ideal way out that will bring universal security to human society.

Keywords: WMDs; non-proliferation; global governance; North Korean nuclear crisis;nuclear issue of Iran; Syria's chemical weapons