Spectral lines: Arms control III

In the June Spectral Lines we discussed some of the factors involved in arms control. In particular, we spoke of the concept of a global information cooperative that would use a series of earth-orbiting, intelligence-gathering satellites. We also mentioned studies by the International Federation of Automatic Control that would consider the international political arena as a system that might be modeled so as to teach methods of promoting stability. We mentioned the difficulties of such projects and the skepticism with which they are met. Yet as an alternative to continuing arms escalation they seem worthy of further consideration.