Patrick Cottrell, assistant professor of political science, will present “Constructing the Peace: Nuclear Disarmament, Climate Change and the Politics of Zero” on Wednesday, April 11, at 7 p.m. in Riley 201 at Linfield College.
Cottrell will discuss the Global Zero campaign, an effort that proponents hope will illuminate a path toward nuclear disarmament. He will analyze strategies of the Global Zero movement and its prospects for success. Success of the campaign relies on the “nuclear paradox,” the concept that the same technology used to create the destructive weapons also has the potential for the betterment of mankind. Cottrell asserts that unless the Global Zero campaign can confront this paradox, reaching the goal of nuclear disarmament will be highly unlikely. Cottrell will also address how confronting the paradox will affect greenhouse gas emissions and climate change.
Cottrell received his Ph.D. in political science from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and his master’s degree from the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies. His research and teaching interests include global governance, arms control and international security, and American foreign policy. He has published in a wide range of journals including International Organization, the European Journal of International Affairs and Foreign Policy Analysis. Cottrell has also worked at the U.S. Department of State in the Bureaus of Political-Military Affairs and Nonproliferation.
The event is free and open to the public. The Linfield College faculty lecture series offers one presentation each month by a member of the Linfield faculty. For more information, call 503-883-2409.
