Description
Book SynopsisThe UK is one of nine states possessing nuclear weapons. Renewal of the Trident programme would extend Britain’s commitment to so-called nuclear ‘deterrence’ well into the second half of this century, despite treaty obligations and an ‘unequivocal undertaking’ to disarm. With more than 16,000 nuclear weapons stockpiled worldwide, the risk of one going off by accident or design is increasing every day.
Wallis in The Truth about Trident explores the issues Trident presents and raises questions like: what would be the impact of their use? How safe are they in the meantime? Are they really necessary? Can we afford them? Are there better alternatives? This book aims to peel back layers of confusion and deceit to reach the truth about Trident.
Trade ReviewI have been opposed to Trident all my adult life – revolted by its presence in Scottish waters, infuriated by supporters who should know a lot better. Yet I have never been fully equipped to argue every point of my case for its cancellation – until reading this book. The Truth About Trident is a lucid, authoritative and vital instrument of peace. - PAT KANE
Table of ContentsList of Abbreviations
Acknowledgements
Author’s Preface
Introduction: Getting at the Truth
Part 1: The Basics
Chapter 1. What is Trident?
Chapter 2. What is Radiation?
Chapter 3. What is Deterrence?
Chapter 4. What is Mutually Assured Destruction?
Part 2: We Need Trident For Our Security
Chapter 5 Did Nuclear Weapons End WWII?
Chapter 6 Have Nuclear Weapons ‘Kept the Peace’ Since 1945?
Chapter 7 Are Nuclear Weapons Keeping Us Safe Today?
Chapter 8 Do Nuclear Weapons Protect Us From Future Risks?
Part 3: We Need Trident to Maintain our Place in the World
Chapter 9 NATO and the ‘Special Relationship’
Chapter 10 Is Trident Really ‘Independent’?
Chapter 11 Does Trident Give the uk a Seat at the Top Table?
Part 4: We can Manage Trident Legally, Safely, Responsibly
Chapter 12 Are Nuclear Weapons Legal?
Chapter 13 Are the UK’s Nuclear Weapons Safe?
Chapter 14 Is Renewal of Trident Affordable?
Chapter 15 Do We Need Trident to Protect Jobs?
Chapter 16 What About Scotland?
Part 5 : We are Doing all we can to Disarm
Chapter 17 Is the UK Committed to ‘Multilateral’ Disarmament?
Chapter 18 Hasn’t the UK Already Disarmed to the Minimum?
Chapter 19 Would Disarmament by the UK Have Any Effect?
Part 6: The Bomb is Here to Stay
Chapter 20 ‘But You Can’t Uninvent the Bomb’
Chapter 21 Would Opposition to Trident Make Labour ‘Unelectable’?
Chapter 22 Can Nuclear Weapons be Morally Acceptable?
Chapter 23 Does Trident Fit the World of Today?
Part 7: Wrapping it all up
Chapter 24 The Truth About Trident 218
Appendix I: Treaty On The Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT)
Appendix II: Summary of Advisory Opinion of the International Court of Justice on the Legality of the Threat or Use of Nuclear Weapons
References
Endnotes
Quakers in Britain
