Introduction
Nuclear power is among the most destructive forces ever captured by humankind. Although it can be used for energy production, the use of nuclear reactions in weaponry can result in significant loss of life. Therefore, in 1967, the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) was signed to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons (Barash, 2018). Although the non-proliferation regime has contributed substantially to limiting the production and accumulation of nuclear weapons, it presents several weaknesses and oversights. It does not provide adequate protection against nuclear proliferation.
Limitations of Non-Proliferation Treaty
The NPT is extremely limited in scope, somewhat discriminatory, and is aimed at advantaging specific states. According to Barash (2018), the treaty stipulates that countries that did not possess nuclear weapons in 1967 would agree not to acquire them. However, the states that had them, referred to as nuclear-weapon states, including the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Russia, and China, would agree to divest the existing weapons over time (Barash, 2018). Nevertheless, few steps were taken by nuclear-weapon states to dispose of their nuclear weaponry. Thus, the treaty effectively created a situation on the global political stage where select nations have access to nuclear weaponry, thereby gaining a significant military advantage over other countries.
Furthermore, it can be argued that the treaty provides no deterrent against nuclear weaponry proliferation, as there have been several notable examples of non-compliance. For instance, despite its initial participation in the treaty, North Korea chose to continue its nuclear program and officially withdrew from it in 1985, marking it as the only NPT withdrawal (Nuclear Threat Initiative, 2022). Therefore, the treaty failed to establish compliance, with the country gradually amassing a sizable nuclear arsenal. In addition, several countries refused to sign the NPT, leaving them free to pursue nuclear proliferation.
Conclusion
In summary, the NPT was a significant step towards nuclear safety. The existing enforcement mechanisms for nuclear weapons disposal and proliferation proved to be ineffective, creating a substantial imbalance of power on the global political level. The persistent failure to ensure compliance raises questions about whether the non-proliferation regime remains relevant and effective in ensuring global security. Therefore, some significant changes to the treaty should be considered to review both the failure to divest nuclear weapons and their production.
References
Barash, D. P. (2018). Approaches to peace: A reader in peace studies (4th ed.). Oxford University Press.
Nuclear Threat Initiative. (2022). Nuclear disarmament North Korea. Web.