Nuclear Weapons in the Post-Material Age: A Study on Resistance Against Nuclear Proliferation Using Data from Sweden

This study examines possible drivers of public opinion towards nuclear proliferation, which is an often-overlooked aspect in the security literature. It leverages a 2022 survey from Sweden to explore the impact of postmaterialist values on attitudes toward nuclear proliferation. The quantitative ana...

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Main Authors: Anton Brännlund, Albert Weckman, Paul Lundberg
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Taylor & Francis Group 2025-01-01
Series:Journal for Peace and Nuclear Disarmament
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/25751654.2025.2497113
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author Anton Brännlund
Albert Weckman
Paul Lundberg
author_facet Anton Brännlund
Albert Weckman
Paul Lundberg
author_sort Anton Brännlund
collection DOAJ
description This study examines possible drivers of public opinion towards nuclear proliferation, which is an often-overlooked aspect in the security literature. It leverages a 2022 survey from Sweden to explore the impact of postmaterialist values on attitudes toward nuclear proliferation. The quantitative analysis (OLS) reveals a significant negative association between postmaterial values and support for nuclear proliferation, challenging the belief that traditional political orientation such as the left-right spectrum primarily dictates such attitudes. Our findings suggest instead that postmaterial values and cultural identities can be more influential in shaping public opinion on nuclear proliferation than traditional political alignment. This research contributes to the broader discourse on nuclear policy by highlighting the importance of public sentiment in shaping legitimacy for future strategies. It calls for a re-evaluation of policy approaches, emphasizing the role of public values in international security debates amidst rising global tensions. It is essential to carefully consider the factors shaping public attitudes on these issues, as the legitimacy of future nuclear proliferation and strategies will ultimately depend on securing public approval.
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spelling doaj-art-d4bcbd00f1af48a09aa0bb4801eeaefd2025-08-20T03:28:14ZengTaylor & Francis GroupJournal for Peace and Nuclear Disarmament2575-16542025-01-018119221310.1080/25751654.2025.2497113Nuclear Weapons in the Post-Material Age: A Study on Resistance Against Nuclear Proliferation Using Data from SwedenAnton Brännlund0Albert Weckman1Paul Lundberg2Department of Government, Uppsala University, Uppsala, SwedenFaculty of Social Sciences, Business, Economics, and Law, Åbo Akademi University, Turku, FinlandStudent at the Department of Government, Uppsala University, Uppsala, SwedenThis study examines possible drivers of public opinion towards nuclear proliferation, which is an often-overlooked aspect in the security literature. It leverages a 2022 survey from Sweden to explore the impact of postmaterialist values on attitudes toward nuclear proliferation. The quantitative analysis (OLS) reveals a significant negative association between postmaterial values and support for nuclear proliferation, challenging the belief that traditional political orientation such as the left-right spectrum primarily dictates such attitudes. Our findings suggest instead that postmaterial values and cultural identities can be more influential in shaping public opinion on nuclear proliferation than traditional political alignment. This research contributes to the broader discourse on nuclear policy by highlighting the importance of public sentiment in shaping legitimacy for future strategies. It calls for a re-evaluation of policy approaches, emphasizing the role of public values in international security debates amidst rising global tensions. It is essential to carefully consider the factors shaping public attitudes on these issues, as the legitimacy of future nuclear proliferation and strategies will ultimately depend on securing public approval.https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/25751654.2025.2497113DeterrenceNATOnuclear proliferationsecuritypostmaterial values
spellingShingle Anton Brännlund
Albert Weckman
Paul Lundberg
Nuclear Weapons in the Post-Material Age: A Study on Resistance Against Nuclear Proliferation Using Data from Sweden
Journal for Peace and Nuclear Disarmament
Deterrence
NATO
nuclear proliferation
security
postmaterial values
title Nuclear Weapons in the Post-Material Age: A Study on Resistance Against Nuclear Proliferation Using Data from Sweden
title_full Nuclear Weapons in the Post-Material Age: A Study on Resistance Against Nuclear Proliferation Using Data from Sweden
title_fullStr Nuclear Weapons in the Post-Material Age: A Study on Resistance Against Nuclear Proliferation Using Data from Sweden
title_full_unstemmed Nuclear Weapons in the Post-Material Age: A Study on Resistance Against Nuclear Proliferation Using Data from Sweden
title_short Nuclear Weapons in the Post-Material Age: A Study on Resistance Against Nuclear Proliferation Using Data from Sweden
title_sort nuclear weapons in the post material age a study on resistance against nuclear proliferation using data from sweden
topic Deterrence
NATO
nuclear proliferation
security
postmaterial values
url https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/25751654.2025.2497113
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AT paullundberg nuclearweaponsinthepostmaterialageastudyonresistanceagainstnuclearproliferationusingdatafromsweden