The instability of the nuclear nonproliferation regime complex

This article theorizes path-dependent changes in the institutional architecture of nuclear nonproliferation regime complex; it analyses effects different regime-complex structures on contestation and policy adjustment. I first offer a general theory how preexisting international complexes (IRCs) facilitate constrain subsequent developments ways that make IRCs prone to endogenous, change. Next, illustrate strategies shifting rival creation complex have triggered ‘reactive sequencing’, resulting growing fragmentation. To endogenous dynamics IRC evolution, examine at three ‘critical junctures’: The mid-1970s, end Cold War, early-2000s. During each period, exogenous proliferation shocks interacted with pre-existing produce specific patterns which set motion reactive sequence My argument has relevance for global economic governance broadly IPE literature explores sequencing decay institutions.