Page 155 - 《国际安全研究》2022年第6期

Vo1. 40, No. 6, November/December 2022
governance, the boundary of public affairs being put into the security agenda is
characterized by “critical point elasticity” due to the difference relationship between
security and risk as well as the dynamic equilibrium relationship between
politicization and securitization. Secondly, under the dominant government paradigm,
subjects of security governance present a security concept pattern featuring
“ability>status>perception” and show “sequence preference” in the supply of security
order and security services. Third, in the policy-making process of security
governance, the inverted triangle structure consisting of policy environment, policy
awareness and policy choice forms the upper end of the governance hourglass, while
the hierarchical triangle structure made up of political parties, government and society
forms the lower end of the governance hourglass. The former presents a funnel effect
with the top-down dripping of information flow, resource flow and power flow. The
latter, along with the multi-layered transmission of policy implementation, sometimes
takes on such bureaucratic effects as increased transfer, target deviation and reactive
governance, which forms the “hourglass-model” of governance action.
[Keywords] national security governance, “situation-consciousness-action” analytical
framework, critical point elasticity, sequence preference, hourglass model
[Author] YANG Huafeng, Ph.D. and Professor, Department of Public Administration,
University of International Relations (Beijing, 100091).

86 Policy Recommendations for the US Government Regarding the
“No-First-Use” of Nuclear Weapons: Origin and Evolution
LU Yin

[Abstract] The policy of “no-first-use” of nuclear weapons means that a nuclear-
weapon state should strictly limit the role of its nuclear weapons in nuclear deterrence,
publicly renounce the first use of nuclear weapons, and use nuclear weapons only for
nuclear retaliation (nuclear counterattack). From the Cold War to the present day, the
United States has been making theoretical explorations on the issue of “no-first-use”
of nuclear weapons. Both proponents and opponents have made their case from
perspectives of realism, liberalism and constructivism. There have also been
recommendations within the US government regarding the adoption of no-first-use
policy, but the US has not formally declared that it would never use nuclear weapons
first. Factors that hinder the US government from adopting such a policy include the
shackles of the mindset, limitations of political tools, inherent contradictions in
strategic preparedness for nuclear warfare, and constant pressure from its allies. Given
the current security environment, it is unlikely that the United States will officially
declare the adoption of a “no-first-use” policy in the foreseeable future. Nevertheless,
the “no-first-use” policy recommendations will continue to affect the decision-making
process of the US government because of the willingness of major powers to avoid
nuclear warfare and maintain strategic stability. The recommendations have also
expressed security concerns of non-nuclear-weapon countries over possible nuclear
miscalculations and crises. The adoption of “no-first-use” policy will absolutely help

· 153 ·