Current Developments, Public International Law, Part I

International and Comparative Law Quarterly, Vol. 60, Page 209 (January, 2011)

U of Alabama Legal Studies Research Paper No. 2182268

18 Pages Posted: 28 Nov 2012

See all articles by Daniel Joyner

Daniel Joyner

University of Alabama - School of Law

Date Written: January 2011

Abstract

This article examines a number of major developments in international law and State policy regarding nuclear weapons which have occurred over the past two years. However, in order to understand the context and significance of these developments, I must first very briefly address what has gone on previously in this area of international relations.

I have argued elsewhere that over the course of the decade ending in 2008 the original balance of principles underlying the 1968 Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty (NPT), which comprises the cornerstone of the nuclear non-proliferation legal regime, has been distorted, particularly by nuclear-weapon-possessing governments, led by the United States, in favor of a disproportionate prioritization of non-proliferation principles, and an unwarranted under-prioritization of peaceful use and disarmament principles. I also argue that this distortion of principled balance by nuclear weapon states has resulted in a number of erroneous legal interpretations of the NPT’s provisions. These misinterpretations, in turn, have been used to form the legal basis for NPT Nuclear Weapon States’ (NWS) policies relevant to the NPT regime, a number of which have unlawfully prejudiced the legitimate legal interests of NPT Non-nuclear Weapon States (NNWS), pursuant to the NPT’s grand bargain.

Keywords: international law, arms control, nuclear, non-proliferation

Suggested Citation

Joyner, Daniel, Current Developments, Public International Law, Part I (January 2011). International and Comparative Law Quarterly, Vol. 60, Page 209 (January, 2011), U of Alabama Legal Studies Research Paper No. 2182268, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2182268

Daniel Joyner (Contact Author)

University of Alabama - School of Law ( email )

P.O. Box 870382
Tuscaloosa, AL 35487
United States

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