Securing guarantees: How nuclear proliferation can strengthen great power commitments

How does expanding the nuclear club alter structure of international system? The alignments in system clearly shapes proliferation, as great powers often pressure subordinates into eschewing pursuit. What remains unclear, however, is how acquisition by subordinate states can, turn, affect these alignments. I use a formal model to show that including powers’ preferences after their allies have acquired weapons reveals new mechanism behind proliferation: possession can allow change patrons’ incentives and draw them closer, even against wishes, thereby tightening hierarchies.