The definition of weapons proliferation is the rapid increase in the number and destructive capabilities of armaments. Weapons proliferation is a huge problem for the entire world; however it has been a problem since World War I. There was an arms race between Germany and Great Britain that lead to World War I. The arms race between the United States of America and the Soviet Union (the Cold War), nearly lead to World War III. The nuclear race between India and Pakistan lead to underground tests in both countries. And the anthrax attacks against the United States in the fall of 2001. Arms proliferation is nothing new to modern society, it is something that all of us has lived with, especially those that remember the Cold War. In the 20th century, weapons proliferation has presented a greater threat than the previous four centuries combined; new technology offers weapons that are far more destructive than ever before. Weapons proliferation has always been a controversial subject; money used to build these arms is money that could have been used towards education or health care. Furthermore, the more weapons there are in the world, the higher the likelihood of conflict. There is a distinct relationship between arms buildup and the likelihood of conflict, and is intensified given modern technology and the destructive nature of technologically advanced weapons.
There are four different types of weapons proliferation. Vertical proliferation of conventional weapons is the buildup of armaments within a state. Conventional weapons include traditional weaponry such as land mines, aircraft, guns, grenades, and tanks. The United States spends six times more money on vertical conventional weapons proliferation than our closest contender. A prime example of vertical conventional weapons proliferation would be the arms race between Germany and Great Britain that was a precursor to World War I; the two countries were competing with one another to see who could build the greatest warships.
