Rule and Resistance in the Nuclear Order. Colonial Imprints in the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and Anti-Colonial Revolt in the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons
This research project examines the intertwining of nuclear and geopolitics and identifies structures of rule in the nuclear order as well as resistance to it. The Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) is considered as the central international legal framework for these structures of rule. The discussion of resistance focuses on the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPN). Since states from the global South in particular supported the TPN, there is a focus on possible anti-colonial motivations. Also, the clear hierarchy of the nuclear order suggests an analysis of rule from a critical, postcolonial perspective and an emphasis on the view of actors of resistance.
For this thesis, the emergence of a hierarchy of qualitatively different spheres of action and influence in a given social context is characteristic for rule. This understanding lends itself to application in an international context and accommodates the research interest in resistance.
Critical and postcolonial analytical tools are used to discuss the nature of the structures of rule in the nuclear order. On this basis, six components of colonial character will be explored. In addition to the two treaties, their norm structure and norm genesis, qualitative interviews serve as the data basis. In particular, the perception and evaluation of the actors of the resistance will be key throughout the analysis.