Limited self-defense is one means of alternative security. People who favor limited self-defense would accomplish their goals through various methods of arms control. From the standpoint of pure rationality, arms control, or the lack of it, is one of the hardest aspects of international politics to understand. It is a story that dates back far into our history, but unless progress is made, we may not have a limitless future to look forward to. There are many powerful arguments against continuation of the arms race.
Arms are very costly, in direct dollars and in indirect impact on the economy.
Arms are also very dangerous and add to the tensions that sometimes erupt in violence. During the 1990s, efforts increased to regulate arms. There are heavy domestic pressures from the military-industrial complex and sometimes from the public against arms control. There are a number of ways to implement approaches to arms control, including arms reductions, limits on the expansion of arms inventories, and prohibitions against conventional arms transfers and nuclear proliferation. Some people favor trying to achieve security through various international security schemes.