Establishing the new nuclear taboo: 3DNLVWDQ¶V??QXFOHDU??EHKDYLRXU??DIWHU??WKH??UHYHODWLRQ??RI??$????4????.KDQ??&DVH

,W?? LV?? LPSRUWDQW?? WR?? FRQVLGHU?? WKH?? WHUP?? µQXFOHDU?? WDERR¶?? EHIRUH?? explaining its relevance to VWDWHV¶?? behaviour. A taboo is a particular type of norm which refers to tradition. Taboo norms include the non-use of nuclear weapons, which has been sustained since the destruction of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945. Since then no state has used nuclear weapons. Nina Tannenwald refers to a µSRZHUIXO??GH??IDFWR??SURKLELWLRQ??DJDLQVW??WKH??ILUVW??XVH??RI??QXFOHDU??ZHDSRQV¶??2 )RU??7DQQHQZDOG????µD??WDERR is not the behaviour (or non-XVH????LWVHOI??EXW??UDWKHU??WKH??QRUPDWLYH??EHOLHI??DERXW??WKH??EHKDYLRXU¶??3 A taboo is a norm which regulates behaviour and exists in practice. A taboo is a prohibition; it refers to danger, and involves expectations of awful or uncertain consequences or sanctions if violated.4 Tannenwald correctly argues that the strength of a taboo depends µnot on considered reflection, but on revulsion¶.5 The new taboo goes further and identifies patterns of behaviour related to the proliferation and possession of nuclear weapons (where a taboo norm has not yet been clearly identified). Establishing a new nuclear taboo requires a new set of arrangements and the revision of existing non-proliferation requirements under international law. Within this debate VWDWHV¶??cooperation-based behaviour plays an important role in establishing a new nuclear taboo. This paper addresses 3DNLVWDQ¶V??cooperation-based nuclear behaviour which seeks to establish a new nuclear taboo.