Remote sensing and diplomacy

• Main Author: FLORINI, Ann
• Format: text
• Language: English
• Published: Institutional Knowledge at Singapore Management University 1989
• Subjects: Political Science; Public Affairs, Public Policy and Public Administration
• Online Access: https://ink.library.smu.edu.sg/soss_research/2386; https://ink.library.smu.edu.sg/context/soss_research/article/3643/viewcontent/RemoteSensingDiplomacy_1989.pdf
• Institution: Singapore Management University

The advent of a variety of commercial and national remote-sensing satellites has eliminated a long-standing superpower monopoly on a key source of information about global events. As these systems proliferate, it will become increasingly difficult to maintain secrecy about certain sensitive activities. Nations other than the superpowers will be able independently to verify compliance with arms control accords, and to monitor global “hot spots.” These new capabilities both reflect and contribute to an inevitable diffusion of power among nations. Although there will be adjustment costs, particularly for the superpowers, the enhanced global transparency is likely to promote global stability and thus to benefit humanity as a whole.