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Towards a Third Nuclear Age? Strategic Conventional Weapons and the Next Revolution in Global Nuclear Order

Project description

Non-nuclear weapons and the revolution in nuclear order

A new generation of high-tech and non-nuclear strategic weaponry has emerged recently due to the information revolution. The fundamental characteristic of this new class of weapons, named strategic conventional weapons (SCW), is that they can replace nuclear weapons. The rise of SCW also raise questions related to deterrence strategy, future arms racing and control as well as their impact on global nuclear order. The EU-funded NUCLEARREV project intends to conduct the first ever systematic academic study representing an entire rethink of the global nuclear order. The study will chart the SCW systems, analyse their potential impact on regional nuclear relations, investigate the role SCW could play in international nuclear relations and define the embryonic third nuclear age.

Objective

The world stands on the cusp of a major transformation in nuclear affairs. This paradigmatic shift is being driven by the development and deployment of an entirely new class of strategic weaponry, facilitated by the latest information revolution. The most important characteristics of these weapons are that they are all hi-tech and non-nuclear; that they can be used against an adversarys nuclear forces, and that they are increasingly able to augment and even replace nuclear weapons for key national security functions. Taken together, we can think of these of these systems as Strategic Conventional Weapons (SCW), and as representing a fundamental challenge to the way that our nuclear world is managed. SCW raise questions about deterrence strategy, mutually assured destruction, future arms racing and arms control, and how best to retain and maintain global nuclear stability and peace. NUCLEARREV will therefore provide the first ever systematic scholarly study of SCW, make the case for a paradigmatic shift in nuclear studies, set the stage for a complete rethinking of the global nuclear order. The main research question is: How will Strategic Conventional Weapons change the Global Nuclear Order? To answer this the objectives are to: Chart the SCW phenomenon, globally; Analyse how SCW will impact regional nuclear relations and balances; Examine what the development of SCW means for the frameworks and dogma that govern international nuclear relations; Make the case for a revolution in nuclear affairs and define the embryonic Third Nuclear Age. This urgently required research will provide the landmark study of this phenomenon and the centrepiece for a whole new generation of interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary work on nuclear affairs. The project combines interviews with politicians, defence contractors, scientists, bureaucrats, and experts across the world; an innovative War Game exercise, as well as extensive archival research and Regional Feedback Workshops.

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Keywords

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Programme(s)

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Topic(s)

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Funding Scheme

Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.

ERC-COG - Consolidator Grant

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Call for proposal

Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.

(opens in new window) ERC-2019-COG

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Host institution

UNIVERSITY OF LEICESTER
Net EU contribution

Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.

€ 1 642 826,00
Address
UNIVERSITY ROAD
LE1 7RH Leicester
United Kingdom

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Region
East Midlands (England) Leicestershire, Rutland and Northamptonshire Leicester
Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
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Total cost

The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.

€ 1 642 826,00

Beneficiaries (1)

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