Articles Quote by Herman Kahn
“To the extent that these advanced weapons or their components are treated as articles of commerce, perhaps for peaceful uses as in the Plowshare program, their cost would be well within the resources available to many large private organizations.”
About This Quote
Source Report: Arms Control and Disarmament, 1960
Treating advanced weapons as commercial goods lowers barriers, enabling private groups to acquire potentially dangerous technology.
In simple terms: Commercializing weapons makes them easier to obtain.
Key Takeaway
Regulate weapon components strictly.
Themes
security
technology
policy
Mood
cautious
analytical
Type
policy
strategic
When to use this quote
- government procurement
- private defense firms
- research labs
Key Concepts
non‑proliferation
economics
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we balance innovation and safety?
- What oversight mechanisms work best?
A Different Perspective
Regulation may stifle legitimate civilian uses.
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