National Decision Making and Nuclear Fuel Cycles: An Analysis of Influences.
Platte, James.
2013
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Abstract: This study examines the factors that influence national decisions
about developing nuclear fuel cycle technology, and the central question for this study is
why countries have developed different national nuclear fuel cycles. Prospect theory is
used as the basis of an analytical framework for studying nuclear fuel cycle decision
making. In essence, prospect theory states that nations ... read moreare risk averse when in a gains
domain and risk acceptant when in a losses domain. This study hypothesizes that a
country's nuclear fuel cycle decision making is determined by the frame of reference and
domain (either gains or losses) and that security concerns are a factor driving policy
behind all nuclear programs. A structured, focused comparison of Indian, Japanese, and
South Korean nuclear fuel cycle decision making was conducted in order to test the
hypotheses. Major nuclear fuel cycle decisions made between approximately 1950 and 1990 in
each country were analyzed. The results verified this study's hypotheses. Decisions were
mostly made according to the tenets of prospect theory, and security concerns (national
security or energy security) were a driver for the nuclear programs in all three
countries. The study also emphasized that nuclear fuel cycle technology is strategic and
highly valued by countries and that national leaders are involved with making major
nuclear fuel cycle decisions. Prospect theory proved to be a more powerful analytical tool
than existing theories of nuclear weapons proliferation. Prospect theory accounts for a
country's capabilities, intentions, and situational and temporal context. In this way,
prospect theory gives a holistic view of how all nuclear technologies fit into strategic
interests and how a country's leadership's frame of reference with regard to strategic
interests influences the direction of nuclear fuel cycle decision making. Prospect theory
on its own does not offer a model or predictor of nuclear fuel cycle technology
development, but it illuminates how leaders viewed nuclear fuel cycle decisions and why
certain decisions were made.
Thesis (Ph.D.)--Tufts University, 2013.
Submitted to the Dept. of Diplomacy, History, and Politics.
Advisor: William Martel.
Committee: William Moomaw, and Robert Pfaltzgraff.
Keyword: International relations.read less - ID:
- hh63t6904
- Component ID:
- tufts:21987
- To Cite:
- TARC Citation Guide EndNote
