The complexity of nuclear (dis)ordering: a research agenda

This introduction to the Special Issue starts from the observation that, over time, the process of political ordering to harness nuclear energy has become more complex in terms of actors, rules, levels, and contexts. So far, however, the existing literature provides only limited insights into the complexity of nuclear ordering. To advance our understanding of the characteristics and consequences of this complexity, this introduction provides a conceptual framework for the subsequent articles of the Special Issue and lays out a broader research agenda. It does so by first addressing the notions of political ordering and disordering. It then draws on complexity theory to develop an analytical perspective through which the contributions to this Special Issue examine the complexity of nuclear (dis)ordering. Finally, the article reviews the contributions to the Special Issue, and outlines avenues for further research on nuclear (dis)ordering.