1st Edition
The Foundations of Modern Arms Control An International History, 1815-1968
Introduction
1. Stopping the War System,” 1815-1898
2. Anticipating Arms Control, 1899-1914
3. Versailles, a League, and Forced Arms Control, 1914-1919
4. Arms Limitation at Sea, 1920-1922
5. Mending the Washington System, 1924-1930
6. The League and World Disarmament, 1920-1934
7. Nonproliferation Out of Africa, 1890-1935
8. Arms Control in a Shattering World, 1934-1939
9. Old Concepts Adapted to an Atomic World, 1941-1952
10. Verification Fraud and Success, 1953-1957
11. Grand Arms Control as Farce, 1953-1958
12. IAEA Slips onto the World Stage, 1953-1957
13. Halting Steps Toward Nuclear Arms Control, 1958-1960
14. Partial Test Ban and Disarmament Theater, 1961-1963
15. Banning WMD in Three Domains, 1958-1967
16. Gaining the NPT’s Core, 1958-1968
17. Adding “Balance” to the NPT, 1964-1968
Biography
Robert M. Blum is an independent scholar. He has a PhD from the University of Texas at Austin, is a former analyst and operations officer at the Central Intelligence Agency, and served as a staff officer at the Department of State's Office of the Secretary.
'This book covers a century and a half of efforts to control war, limit belligerents, and reduce armaments. Its theme is that arms control remains a vital instrument in international relations despite current headlines, an approach that is far from dead. ...The book covers myriad topics, including the history of early efforts at disarmament, arms limitation, and arms control; a review of arms control's accomplishments and why that was so important in the Cold War; and how we might recreate arms control's success in today's more dangerous world. It focuses on the lower and middle rungs of the conflict spectrum and the effort to minimize conflict by controlling weaponry, rather than the broader, more modern aspirations of creating strategic stability and preventing nuclear war. This gives the book particular salience in providing proven approaches to dealing with the growing number of conventional conflicts around the world today.'
Jeff Larsen, US Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, CA
'This concise history proves a valuable resource for anyone who seeks to better understand the modern day arms control landscape.'
Arms Control Today, January/February 2025
'At a time when the outlook for arms control and disarmament seems bleaker than ever, Robert Blum’s book is a potent reminder of the achievements and potential of this form of international statecraft...Even the arms control cognoscenti will be astonished by the detail and arcane instances that Blum unearths in his meticulous research.'
Trevor Findlay, Journal for Peace and Nuclear Disarmament, March 2025
'Robert Blum provides valuable insights into the successes and failures of disarmament diplomacy, illustrating shifting political dynamics, strategic priorities and the influence of the global peace movement...Ultimately, the book will be a useful resource for those seeking to understand the complexities and long-term dynamics of international arms control.'
Luba Zatsepina, Liverpool John Moores University, International Affairs 101: 3, 2025
