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12 March 2010
GPPi research associate presents on China’s potential for overcoming the deadlock of the global non-proliferation regime
GPPi Research Associate Stephan Mergenthaler presented on China’s potential for overcoming the deadlock of the global non-proliferation regime at a research colloquium of the Institute for Peace Research and Security Policy in Hamburg on 10 March 2010.
In his presentation, Mergenthaler argued that the global non-proliferation regime suffers from an underlying conflict between the West and an emboldened block of developing countries. The latter are challenging the legitimacy of the current treaty regime governing nuclear non-proliferation and see the West as unevenly placing constraints on their technological rights, while failing to live up to its own obligation to pursue nuclear disarmament. While the West, and particularly European countries, seek to strengthen the treaty provisions with more stringent measures for controlling proliferation, their capacity to lead global agreements in this field has greatly diminished. Despite the positive signs from Washington and Moscow to revive nuclear disarmament, the prospects for a successful outcome of the upcoming Review Conference of the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty (NPT) in May are rather limited.
Mergenthaler went on arguing that overcoming this governance deadlock requires meaningful cooperation with rising powers. China, in particular, could potentially play an important role in overcoming the regime’s underlying challenges. Its status as a legitimate nuclear power under the NPT and as a leading voice in defending developing countries’ rights for the peaceful use of nuclear technology could make China an important broker between the established camps. Mergenthaler discussed recent initiatives on the multilateralization of the nuclear fuel cycle as a means for addressing the dilemma between peaceful use and proliferation. As almost exclusively Western proposals, these new approaches are immediately seen by developing countries as part of the perceived Western plot to deny them legitimate technological rights. Promoting such approaches as joint stakeholders with meaningful political backing from China would significantly increase their potential for addressing imminent proliferation crises such as in Iran and thereby also reinvigorate the global non-proliferation regime at large.
In conclusion, Mergenthaler pointed out that working towards joint stakeholdership with China requires increased interaction with Chinese experts. Links between European and Chinese non-proliferation experts are particularly scarce and account for the lack of an encompassing debate on these issues. Researchers can play an important role in bringing this inclusive debate forward by joint research on both the perception of these governance challenges as well as the means for addressing them.
For more information please contact Stephan Mergenthaler or visit our Rising Powers and Global Governance program page.