Discourse on Nuclear Weapons in Political Research: Evolution and Trends

Nuclear weapons play a key role in ensuring both the national security of individual states and the stability of the international security system as a whole. At the same time, the topic of nuclear weapons is not limited solely to practical aspects; it has become an integral part of discussions at the academic, governmental, and international levels. In political science and international relations, issues related to nuclear weapons generate heated debates and a variety of viewpoints. The discourse on nuclear weapons is part of international security studies, which have undergone a significant evolution since the end of the Cold War: basic ideas about the nature of reality (ontology), approaches to cognition and analysis (epistemology), and general theoretical concepts have changed. Nuclear discourse within political science and international relations has remained a relatively conservative segment, less susceptible to new theoretical trends. The situation began to change in the first decade of the 21st century, when the transformation of nuclear discourse began. Approaches to discussing and analyzing nuclear issues began to be revised, taking on new contours in the context of contemporary challenges and changes in world politics. This study presents the evolution of nuclear discourse in political science. Nuclear discourse is presented in the form of three large groups: traditional studies of strategic arms control; works devoted to the nuclear non- proliferation regime and disarmament; and critical studies. The formation of nuclear discourse is influenced by the transforming world order, technological changes, key events of the last two decades, and formalization within scientific publications, scientific journals, and leading institutions. Nuclear discourse has emerged as an independent analytical field, providing a broad scope for scientific discussion.

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