Theater Nuclear Force Modernization as an Issue in West German Politics, 1977-1980

Abstract

This thesis reviews the dominant opinions within the main political groupings of West Germany regarding the two major theater nuclear modernization issues of the recent past--enhanced radiation weapons (ERW) and long range theater nuclear forces (LRTNF). The broad strategic context of both the ERW and LRTNF questions sets the scene for exploration of the major hypothesis: whether differences in the capabilities of proposed new theater nuclear systems are a principal variable in explaining the positions adopted by each of the three major political party groupings in West Germany--the CDU/CSU, the SPD-FDP government, and the left wing of the SPD. The thesis concludes that weapons characteristics did influence the government. Characteristics of the political balance in the West German political system, however, as well as perceptions of Soviet threat and reliability of American guarantees to Europe, were also significant.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Dec 01, 1980
Accession Number
ADA100158

Entities

People

  • Thomas C. Glad

Organizations

  • Naval Postgraduate School

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Counter WMD
  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Human Systems
  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Agreements
  • Air Force
  • Aircrafts
  • Ballistic Missiles
  • Medium Range Ballistic Missiles
  • Military Science
  • National Governments
  • National Politics
  • National Security
  • Nuclear Weapons
  • Political Systems
  • Strategic Weapons
  • Treaties
  • United States
  • Warfare
  • Weapons Effects
  • Western Europe

Fields of Study

  • Political science

Readers

  • European Security and Defence Policy (ESDP).
  • Military History of the United States in the 20th Century.
  • Regression Analysis.

Technology Areas

  • Directed Energy