Public Opinion and Nuclear Deterrence

Analyzing the role of public opinion in shaping nuclear deterrence policies and strategies.

• Bonnet, Yann, "The Atomic Bomb Was the Only Thing That Saved My Life: How US Museums Present the End of the Pacific War," SAASS thesis, 2025, 108 pgs.
  • Bonnet explores this by examining how the American public's devotion to the "Greatest Generation" myth heavily shapes the national narrative surrounding the use of nuclear weapons. He highlights the 1995 Smithsonian Enola Gay exhibit controversy, where immense pressure from veterans' groups and the public forced the museum to abandon a nuanced historical display in favor of one that presented the atomic bomb as a purely justified, life-saving necessity. Bonnet argues that this unyielding public opinion creates a simplified worldview that stifles accurate historical understanding, concluding that educating the public—especially younger generations—with a more complex view of nuclear weapons is essential for enhancing the credibility and effectiveness of the United States' modern deterrent capabilities.
• Carter, Lt. Col. Mark A., "Critical Reactions: The role of Crisis in Advancing Nuclear Science and Technology," SAASS thesis, 2025, 103 pgs. 
  • Carter addresses this by exploring how public opinion, particularly driven by fear during crises, acts as a catalyst for changes in nuclear science and policy. He demonstrates that the Cuban Missile Crisis heightened global awareness of nuclear risks, prompting governments to launch public awareness campaigns and invest heavily in constructive nuclear applications, such as medical diagnostics and food irradiation, to address societal concerns. Conversely, the catastrophic Chernobyl disaster fueled widespread anti-nuclear sentiment, which directly drove shifts in national energy policies, the tightening of global nuclear regulations, and a reevaluation of emergency preparedness protocols.