Into the Macro-Level: A Set-Theoretical Analysis of Participation in the Non-Proliferation Regime

Participation in international nuclear non-proliferation institutions is a multi-causal phenomenon, dependent on macro- (structural) and micro-level factors, as shown in the causal mechanism developed in the previous chapter of this book. A definition and measure of participation are available in Chap. 2 . This chapter focuses on the macro-level situational conditions that shape policymakers’ participation behaviour in latent nuclear countries. As shown in Chap. 3 , I identified five main macro-level situational conditions that affect the participation behaviour of latent nuclear countries in NNP institutions: (a) external threats, (b) positive security assurances, (c) regional power status, (d) economic openness, and (e) domestic anti-nuclear public opinion. Those conditions were selected based on the current literature on nuclear non-proliferation and international relations theory. I argue that those conditions affect policymakers differently, depending on how they combine and how they are framed under a national role conception. In a nutshell, participation in the NNP regime is a multi-causal and equifinal phenomenon.