Prenuclear-age leaders and the nuclear arms race

Nuclear arms are a phenomenon with no historical precedent, yet people—and their national leaders—confront the prospect of nuclear war with psychological attitudes from an earlier, simpler time. This paper considers the meaning of our image of the “enemy,” analyzes the appropriateness and effectiveness of a policy of deterrence, and considers approaches to doing away with war and to easing international antagonisms through the pursuit of mutually beneficial goals.