Forgoing the nuclear option: states that could build nuclear weapons but chose not to do so

摘要

One of the mysteries within the study of International Relations is why states that are capable of developing nuclear weapons don't build them. Many states in the world are able to build nuclear weapons, which are generally considered as the most powerful military weapons available. Little is known about the backgrounds of these states' decisions to forego nuclear weapons. Far more research has been conducted into the motivations of states to acquire nuclear weapons than into their motivations not to acquire them.