Iran: Three Models for an Analysis of Nuclear Motivations Cover Image

Írán: Tři modely pro analýzu jaderných motivací
Iran: Three Models for an Analysis of Nuclear Motivations

Author(s): Juraj Hanuliak, Ondřej Filipec
Subject(s): Politics / Political Sciences
Published by: Ústav mezinárodních vztahů
Keywords: Iran; motivations; proliferation; nuclear weapons; Sagan

Summary/Abstract: This article deals with the Iranian motivations for building military nuclear programme. The motivations are analyzed through three models presented by Scott D. Sagan (1997): the security model, the domestic politics model and the norm model. These models are used in a competitive way. We claim that despite the fact that all the models are able to find certain motivations in the case of Iran, the security model is the best model in terms of applicability, but only when its weak aspects are overcome. Regarding the domestic politics model we were able to identify the structures (the Revolutionary Guards and scientists) which might have the greatest profit from Iran’s nuclearization. However, other motivations within the political system are hardly found. From the perspective of the normative model we discuss the role of international and cultural norms in the context of the Iranian nuclear programme, and we especially discuss the image of modernity, nationalism and the double standard applied from the side of the Western countries in connection with this topic.

  • Issue Year: 49/2014
  • Issue No: 1
  • Page Range: 5-26
  • Page Count: 22
  • Language: Czech