76 SOCIAL SCIENTIST
nuclear winter. The validation of this fourth effect of nuclear w^r i.te. nuclear winter, besides heat, blast and radiation, is now fairly well established. Citing current research on the subject, NaAaboordri points to this most frightening and most recently discovered aspect of nuclear war "raises a number of questions about the validity of current nuclear doctrines and warfighting plans."
Jasjit Singh has focussed on an important aspect of the problem of proliferation. He notes the developments and advances in the conventional war fighting capabilities around the world today. He notes that various theories of nuclear threshold do not take into account the existing realities. First, many of the theories are western and one-sided, allowing for possible misinterpretations. Second, the existence of nuclear weapons of various categories ranging from the tactical artillery shells to strategic intercontinental missiles presupposes their use in certain contingency even in a conventional war. Once the war threshold is crossed, he argues, it is all too easy to cross the nuclear threshold as well.
Added to this general problem is the development of new weapons in the conventional ar^na. The lethality of certain conventional weapons systems and Warheads^ he argues^ lowers the nuclear threshold as well. Advances in precision guidance such as the terrain matching radar, acid electro-optical and laser designated guidance systems have made the delivery of conventional ammunition with pinpoint accuracy. New munitions such as the MW-1 sysUto or the CWS developed by West Germany br the fuel air explosive systems can approach lethality levels of small nttctefer weapons that make nuclear responses more probable.
In the light of this, it is correctly argued by Subrahmanyam that review conferences like the one due to be held in August—September fliis year are farcical exercises that have not achieved anything. However, it is BKW difficult to take at face value his argument that acquisitions of nuclear weapons by new nations m^y in fact contribute to increased stability. Perhaps it is not too late to make yet another push to halt the burgeoning wtfcal and spatial proliferation and addressing the attention of the world towards the heightened dangers from the new and untenable ideas like the Strategic Defence Initiative. Nevertheless, bo^ks like the one under review are an important contribution to pointing out (6 the world the dangerous delusions that surround the even Hefted attempts that have been made to taiokle the dangers of nuclear war. tAtil now.
—MKJ