Search for World Peace Through Disarmament, Arms Control and Non-Proliferation, 1899–2024

Abstract

Since ancient times, wars have been fought by people using arms. The type and number of arms used determined the outcomes of wars and the prestige of nations. Hence, nations continued to develop more sophisticated arms and means of their deployment. Primitive man used stones and clubs as arms. In the Middle Ages, cudgels, cannons, barbed arrows, bolt-action magazine rifles and others were used. The 20th century witnessed the use of more advanced ones, including pump-action rifles, machine guns, rocket launchers, armoured tanks and the atomic bomb. Use of these arms in wars caused many deaths and colossal damage to societies. Due to these impacts, collective efforts have been made by nations and organizations to reduce the cache of arms in state armouries and their use. Notwithstanding, nations have continued to pursue the development of weapons of mass destruction and new methods of their deployment in wars. These trends posed great danger to world peace and security. This study historicises the evolutionary trends of disarmament regulatory frameworks. It utilized an interdisciplinary methodology. Books, journal articles and internet sources on History, Diplomacy and International Relations were utilized. Relevant information in the sources was obtained through library studies and internet browsing; the material was then studied and analysed. The research showed that some states fail to adhere to disarmament regulatory frameworks. This development is responsible for the increase of atomic, biological and chemical (ABC) weapons and terrorist groups in the world. Again, the 21st century has experienced the deployment of arms through computers and drones.