What Would be the Benefits of SDI if Successful?

Abstract

We have heard much about the question whether the aims of the Strategic Defence Initiative (SDI or ‘Star Wars’) are achievable. There has been much less debate on what the international scene would be like if these aims were achieved, and whether the results would be desirable. The view is often expressed that the prospect of success is so remote that it is a waste of time to worry about its consequences. I disagree. The whole raison d’etre of the SDI programme is the claim that it would remove the threat of nuclear war; the conclusion that it would do nothing of the kind would therefore be very relevant to the evaluation of the programme.