Interest in nuclear energy has surged in recent years. Many tout this as important for meeting growing energy needs and redressing the problem of global climate change. Yet there are also risks that accompany a renaissance of nuclear power, as underscored by the “meltdown” at a Japanese nuclear power plant in 2011. Others also fear that the spread of nuclear energy will facilitate nuclear weapons proliferation. The Nuclear Renaissance and International Security analyzes the contexts and tradeoffs associated with the growth of nuclear energy. Applying diverse qualitative and quantitative resear ... More

Interest in nuclear energy has surged in recent years. Many tout this as important for meeting growing energy needs and redressing the problem of global climate change. Yet there are also risks that accompany a renaissance of nuclear power, as underscored by the “meltdown” at a Japanese nuclear power plant in 2011. Others also fear that the spread of nuclear energy will facilitate nuclear weapons proliferation. The Nuclear Renaissance and International Security analyzes the contexts and tradeoffs associated with the growth of nuclear energy. Applying diverse qualitative and quantitative research methods, the contributors probe critical questions: Why do countries rely on nuclear power? How do buyers and sellers of nuclear technology approach nuclear power? Why do countries provide peaceful nuclear assistance to other states? Under what conditions do countries embrace multinational approaches to the fuel cycle? To what extent is global climate change a driver of the nuclear renaissance and would nuclear power development make a meaningful dent in global greenhouse gas emissions? Do peaceful nuclear programs contribute to nuclear weapons proliferation? Will the diffusion of nuclear technologies lead to an increase in the trafficking of nuclear and radiological materials? Does the diffusion of sensitive enrichment and reprocessing technologies and latent nuclear weapons capabilities excite security dilemmas, crisis instability and international conflict? This book will help scholars and policymakers better understand why countries are pursuing nuclear energy - and evaluate whether this is a trend that one should welcome or fear.