Peace Research Reviews: Accidental Nuclear War: the growing peril (Parts I & II)
Ontario, Canada: Peace Research Institute, 1984. First Edition. Paperback. Volume IX, Numbers 4 & 5. 8vo. 111,[3]; 121-202, [2] pp. Bibliography; Glossary. Photo-reproductions and biographies of Dean Babst, David Morrison, Robert Aldridge, Alex Dely, and David Krieger. Yellow & black printed softcovers in near condition (minor underlining on 1 page; small scrape to front cover of Part I; the titles have been handwritten on spines). Item #20908
These two volumes were designed to increase awareness of accidental nuclear war dangers. Volume I proposes that although accidental war is preventable, the current arms race and secrecy about accidents and false alarms increase the possibility of an accidental war; posits that decreased decision-making time also increases the possibility of error; provides information-related accidents such as strategic warning system problems, lengthy command chains, and communication chaos due to electromagnetic pulse; gives examples of accidents and illnesses that affect the capabilities of national leaders, problems of weapon handlers, proliferation perils, implications of escalating small wars, and ways in which terrorists could trigger nuclear war; and focuses on accidents involving new weapons. Volume II examines both the value of and the dangers of satellite usage; and discusses the probability of an accidental nuclear war and the final section outlines prevention needs, including increased public awareness, improved hot lines, better crisis control communication between nations, accidental war assessment centers, long term goals for world peace, and action taking. Alan and Hanna were leading Canadian peace researchers during the mid-to-late 1900s. The Newcombes joined the Canadian Peace Research Institute, but later they created the Peace Research Institute Dundas, near Hamilton, Ontario, which published two major journals, Peace Research Abstracts, and Peace Research Reviews. Alan Newcombe may be best remembered for his work on the "tensiometer," which predicted the outbreak of war on the basis of arms build-ups.
Price: $250.00