The politics of nuclear weapons.
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Authors
Mohs, Samuel David
Subjects
Advisors
Stockton, Paul
Date of Issue
1991-12
Date
Publisher
Monterey, California. Naval Postgraduate School
Language
en_US
Abstract
This thesis evaluates the role of the House and Senate Armed Services Committees,
the House and Senate Appropriations Committees, and the Democratic Caucus in matters
pertaining to strategic nuclear weapons programs. Three strategic programs are used as
case studies to support this evaluation; the Trident submarine and missile, the B-l bomber,
and the MX missile. By comparing each committees' funding recommendations to that
approved by Congress as well as their success in blocking amendments which would affect
such recommendations, it is apparent that the respective Armed Services Committees
dominate in strategic nuclear issues. This was found to be true when strategic nuclear
programs were debated largely within the confines of the committees as well as when they
reached the congressional agenda. The MX missile, however, was a significant exception
as it resulted in a shift of power away from the House Armed Services Committee and to
the liberal arms control activists, via the forum of the Democratic Caucus. A detailed
analysis of the MX case provides much useful information for strategic planners concerning the formulation of new strategic nuclear weapons programs, demonstrating the
potential pitfalls and proposing ways to avoid these pitfalls; and if they can not be avoided,
what could be the possible consequences.
Type
Thesis
Description
Series/Report No
Department
National Security Affairs (NSA)
Organization
Naval Postgraduate School
Identifiers
NPS Report Number
Sponsors
Funder
Format
161 p.;28 cm.
Citation
Distribution Statement
Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited.