Nonproliferation and Norm Discourse: An Agentic Constructivist Model of U.S. Nuclear Export Policy Changes

U.S. government claims of support for the global nonproliferation norm sometimes appear contradicted by dramatic changes in its policies regarding support for peaceful nuclear energy programs around the world. This study offers a new accounting of foreign policy decision making relative to global nonproliferation normative architectures as a product of norm-based differences between presidents and congressional leaders over technology sharing. It advances an agentic constructivist model of the export policy process and conducts a plausibility probe of the model through three case studies of export control reform debates. It also examines alternative theory models focused on strategic imperatives, foreign policy change, and neoliberal economics. Case evidence suggests that different alignments in norm stewardship, and the interactions of key agents regarding perceived norm commitments, help account for export policy struggles. These often translate into unique and complex policy outcomes, suggesting the value of contingent models of policy change and international cooperation. Related Articles Abulof, Uriel. 2013. “Nuclear Diversion Theory and Legitimacy Crisis: The Case of Iran.” Politics & Policy 41 (5): 690-772. http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/polp.12035/abstract Haar, Roberta. 2010. “Explaining George W. Bush's Adoption of the Neoconservative Agenda after 9/11.” Politics & Policy 38 (5): 965-990. http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1747-1346.2010.00265.x/abstract Ripberger, Joseph T., Thomas M. Rabovsky, and Kerry G. Herron. 2011. “Public Opinion and Nuclear Zero: A Domestic Constraint on Ditching the Bomb.” Politics & Policy 39 (6): 891-923. http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1747-1346.2011.00327.x/abstract Related Media Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. 2016. “Carnegie Endowment for International Peace Nuclear Policy Program.” http://carnegieendowment.org/programs/npp/ National Public Radio. 2015. “President Obama on Iran Deal Opponents: ‘What's Your Alternative?’” YouTube.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a6aL5TVVRFI Los reclamos de apoyo del gobierno estadounidense para la norma de no proliferacion global a veces parece ser contradicha por los cambios dramaticos en sus politicas en lo que concierne al apoyo para programas de energia nuclear pacificos alrededor del mundo. Este estudio ofrece un nuevo recuento de la toma de decisiones de politica exterior relativa a las arquitecturas normativas de no proliferacion global como un producto de diferencias basadas en normas sobre tecnologia compartida entre presidentes y lideres del congreso. Avanzo un modelo de agencia constructivista del proceso de politicas de exportacion y conduzco a una prueba de plausibilidad del modelo en tres casos de estudio de debates de reforma del control de exportacion. Tambien examino modelos de teoria alternative enfocados en imperativos estrategicos, en cambios de politica exterior y economia neoliberal. La evidencia de los casos sugiere que diferentes alineaciones en la guianza de la norma, y en las interacciones de agentes clave en lo que se relaciona a compromisos percibidos de la norma, ayudan a dar cuenta de luchas de politcas de exportacion. Estas a menudo se traducen en resultados unicos y complejos de politicas, sugiriendo el valor de los modelos contingentes de cambios politicos y de la cooperacion internacional.