Natural Science/Technical Peace Research

The current international system is based on the sovereignty of nation states. Most of them defend their sovereignty with military power. Because technological superiority provides advantages in war, they make great efforts in military research and development. The consequence is an arms race in which technological advance shortens warning and decision times, thus increasing instability. As a way out of this security dilemma, states can reduce military threats through arms control and disarmament with verification of compliance, confidence and security building measures, non-proliferation and export control. Since these are complex issues requiring (technological) expertise, they need to be supported by natural science/technical peace research. This strand of research analyses dangers resulting from new military technologies, develops concepts for limitation as well as methods and technical means for verification and investigates proliferation risks. As part of natural science/technical peace research, IT peace research in particular is needed to contain the dangers of a cyber arms race and to provide better tools for disarmament and verification.