The Effect of Political Regimes on Nuclear Security Culture

This study considers the effect of political regimes on state efficacy and the implications for effective nuclear security culture in nuclear newcomer countries. Compared with ‘nuclear old-guard’ countries with operable nuclear power reactors prior to 2013 (n=30), significant and meaningful variation in political systems of government in nuclear newcomers (n=39) is identified and then assessed for its effect on nuclear security culture at the level of the state. The attributes of different regime types that scholars have argued are positively (or negatively) correlated with the state and human resources requirements of applied nuclear security culture are identified by examining the international relations literature on political systems and public sector performance. The results offer a theoretical-model of the interaction between different political systems of government and applied nuclear security culture. Initial findings indicate theoretical support to the assertion that however comprehensive its tools, instruments, and institutions, the global nuclear security regime is fundamentally weak because implementation lies with individual states that are free to choose which policies to implement. Tailored approaches and/or augmented guidelines that account for the expected effects of political regimes are needed to gain broader support for principles of security culture. The concluding section includes an agenda for future empirical research in this area.