1855 



Fundamental Virtues of Long-Range Diplomatic Planning 



Still, the planning of national diplomatic measures on a very long 

 time scale lias many advantages. Plans thus developed can be broad 

 in scope, comprehensive, and durably massive in effect, rather than 

 merely clever or transient. They can be exposed to much critical 

 analysis in the course of their development to eliminate minor flaws 

 and revise incorrect assessments. Designs can comprehend more 

 aspects, phases, interfaces, and complications. The planners can bring 

 to bear a larger participation of relevant technical expertise as it is 

 needed. Open public discussion and debate can enable broad pubUc 

 understanding and acceptance. 



From the point of view of the diplomatic community there are 

 advantages in the slow, deliberate evolution of a plan: quick decisions 

 on important matters involve elements of risk uncongenial to the 

 diplomatic style. 



From the point of view of the technical community the long-range 

 plan has the advantage of allowing time to perfect technological 

 initiatives consistent with the broader diplomatic concept, based on 

 initial study of requirements for new technologies, and refined in 

 response to study of the effects of their deplojrment. Technological 

 development itself has its own built-in time frame. 



From the point of view of the Congress the long-range plan has the 

 advantage of efficiency and effectiveness because such planning is 

 able to exploit those qualities in which the United States is strongest 

 and most admired : technological superiority and skill in administrative 

 management. 



Not only does the slow unfolding of a long-range diplomatic plan 

 help to buUd a national consensus within the United States; it also 

 permits adjustment and revision to satisfy the differing needs and 

 views of other world powers as the planning process matures. In 

 addition, the slow evolution of broad diplomatic plans provides time 

 and opportunity for collaboration on a multilateral basis by many 

 other nations sharing the goals and aspirations on which the plans are 

 based. (Weaknesses of diplomatic organization based on a multi- 

 plicity of bilateral agreements or programs were discussed in an earlier 

 essay.) 



Long-Range Planning Aspects of the National Security 



There is an emerging dilemma as to the nature of war and national 

 security in a world of nuclear-armed superpowers. Nuclear weapons 

 are manifestly a product of technology. So are the high-precision 

 subnuclear weapons largely based on quantum effects of the laser. 

 However, the question remains: how do nuclear and subnuclear 

 technologies relate to national security and what other factors ought 

 to be taken into account? 



MiHtary traditionahsts tend to focus strongly on the weaponry 

 aspects of technology. National security in these terms tends to be 

 equated with abihty to destroy an adversary by various means. The 

 fact that the principal adversary also has this capability means that 

 national security as an absolute condition, implying the complete 

 inability of an adversary to injure U.S. society, its institutions, and 

 its property, has disappeared. There is no foreseeable prospect that 

 the United States can regain this condition. Accordingly, the shared 

 possession of nuclear weapons, together with means of delivering them 



