The eight pillars of the nuclear non-proliferation regime and the search for global security

How does a nation or a community of nations seeking to enhance their security, prevent the spread of nuclear weapons? Two approaches that have been contemplated and tried immediately come to mind political (or diplomatic) or punitive actions. The political approach led, gradually, to building the pillars supporting the nuclear nonproliferation regime. Since the idea of a formal, structured international community has not overcome most peoples’ powerfully-held allegiance to their own nation’s sovereignty, the construction of the regime to halt or at least slow the spread of nuclear weapons drew heavily on diplomacy.