The Problem of Redundancy Problem: Why More Nuclear Security Forces May Produce Less Nuclear Security

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Date

2005-11-03

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Ohio State University. Mershon Center for International Security Studies

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Abstract

Much attention has focused since 9/11 on the risk that terrorist organizations might someday steal or purchase nuclear materials or weapons. Most scholars and policy makers assume that increasing the number of security forces at US, Russian, and other nuclear facilities should be part of our policy response to reduce such risks. In contrast, Sagan argues that adding redundancy to the nuclear security system can backfire by creating hidden common-mode failures, producing social shirking, and encouraging over-compensation. Better organizational practices, not more security forces, are the best route toward increased nuclear security in a dangerous world.

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The University Archives has determined that this item is of continuing value to OSU's history.
The media can be accessed here: http://streaming.osu.edu/knowledgebank/mershon05/110305.mp4

Keywords

nuclear proliferation, terrorism, nuclear security

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