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The Unflinching Mr. Smith and the Nuclear Age*
1Centre for the History of Science, Technology and Medicine (CHSTM), University of Manchester.
Berichte Zur Wissenschaftsgeschichte
|December 8, 2020
Summary
Gerald Smith
Area of Science:
- International Relations
- Nuclear Diplomacy
- Science Diplomacy
Background:
- Gerald Coat Smith, a lawyer, was a pivotal U.S. diplomat in post-WW2 nuclear arms control.
- His career spanned agreements on uranium, reactor technology, non-proliferation, and disarmament.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the crucial role of diplomats in science diplomacy.
- To analyze the effectiveness of U.S. nuclear diplomacy strategies through Smith's career.
Main Methods:
- Historical analysis of Gerald Coat Smith's diplomatic career.
- Examination of international agreements and U.S. nuclear policy evolution.
Main Results:
- Smith's career demonstrated the limitations of coercive tactics in nuclear non-proliferation.
- His experiences informed the U.S. shift towards "soft power" in international affairs.
Conclusions:
- Diplomats are central to effective science diplomacy.
- The evolution of nuclear diplomacy underscores the importance of "soft power" over "hard power" in international relations.
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