(iPoster) Termination of Hostilities in Nuclear Conditions: The Case of Japan in 1945

• In Event: Poster Session: Conflict Processes 2

Abstract

What can we learn that is theoretically-informed and policy-relevant about termination of nuclear warfare from the single case we have, Japan in 1945? Although differences are significant- only one side had and used nuclear weapons, and almost eighty years have passed- there is much that is relevant about signaling (including the Potsdam Proclamation), the role of communications channels between countries, internal processes in Japanese and US internal decision-making that take time, and commitment to ideals that make compromise difficult. There are multiple explanations of why Japan surrendered (e.g., Stimson, Butow, Kecskemeti, Alperovitz, Sigal, Bix, and Hasegawa), each of which provides a lens with which to consider elements of war termination.

Author

• Carmel F. Davis