SECURITY WITHOUT WAR

The report critiques the U.S. reliance on military force and nuclear deterrence, arguing that such policies create instability and economic decay. It proposes a 'Security Without War' model centered on nonprovocative defense (NPD), where military forces are structured exclusively for defense to avoid provoking adversaries. The authors advocate for addressing the root causes of conflict through sustainable resource management, debt relief for the Third World, and the promotion of 'strong democracy'—characterized by minority protections and civil society—both domestically and abroad. The document also calls for the total international control and eventual disarmament of nuclear weapons, the strengthening of the United Nations and World Court, and the empowerment of municipal governments to conduct non-military foreign policies.

• U.S. national security is threatened by a broad array of non-military forces, including economic instability and environmental destruction, which are often ignored by planners focused on military threats.
• Cold War military interventions, including covert actions and proxy wars, have frequently been counterproductive, creating 'endless enemies' and undermining the foundations of democracy.
• The 'controlled arms race' of the Cold War imposed severe economic costs on the U.S., diverting funds from civilian infrastructure and research, and contributing to a decline in commercial competitiveness.
• Environmental degradation, such as global warming and ozone depletion, constitutes a primary security threat that can lead to mass starvation and interstate competition for scarce resources like fresh water.
• Strong democracy—defined by constitutional protections for minorities, the principle of subsidiarity, and a vibrant civil society—is a vital tool for preventing both interstate and intrastate wars.
• Nonprovocative Defense (NPD) is a strategy where military forces are structured to be incapable of preemptive deep strikes, thereby reducing the fear of attack and the incentive for adversaries to engage in arms races.
• The authors propose a UN-led collective security system where a standing military force, shorn of offensive capabilities, protects subscriber nations from external aggression.
• Nuclear weapons are fundamentally incompatible with nonprovocative defense and collective security because they are designed for devastation rather than protection.
• The proliferation of nuclear weapons is facilitated by 'peaceful' nuclear power programs, which provide a civilian cover for the acquisition of bomb-building materials.
• Sustainable development in the Third World, including debt relief and the promotion of self-reliance, is essential to eliminate the economic roots of conflict and instability.
• Municipal foreign policies, where cities engage in direct international cooperation, provide a non-provocative and accountable alternative to centralized national security planning.

APA

Shuman, M. H., & Harvey, H. (n.d.). SECURITY WITHOUT WAR. RMI. https://rmi.org/app/uploads/2017/05/RMI_Document_Repository_Public-Reprts_S93-23_SecurityWoutWar.pdf

Chicago

Shuman, Michael H., and Hal Harvey. SECURITY WITHOUT WAR. RMI, n.d. https://rmi.org/app/uploads/2017/05/RMI_Document_Repository_Public-Reprts_S93-23_SecurityWoutWar.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Shuman |first1=Michael H. |last2=Harvey |first2=Hal |title=SECURITY WITHOUT WAR |publisher=RMI |url=https://rmi.org/app/uploads/2017/05/RMI_Document_Repository_Public-Reprts_S93-23_SecurityWoutWar.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{shumanndsecurity, author = {Shuman, Michael H. and Harvey, Hal}, title = {{SECURITY WITHOUT WAR}}, institution = {RMI}, url = {https://rmi.org/app/uploads/2017/05/RMI_Document_Repository_Public-Reprts_S93-23_SecurityWoutWar.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }