How (not) to stop the killer robots: A comparative analysis of humanitarian disarmament campaign strategies. Issue 1 (2nd January 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Rosert, Elvira; Sauer, Frank
• Is Part Of: Contemporary security policy. Volume 42:Issue 1(2021)
• Page Start: 4
• Page End: 29
• Publication Date: 2021-01-02
• Subjects: Humanitarian disarmament -- anti-personnel landmines -- blinding laser weapons -- convention on certain conventional weapons -- artificial intelligence -- lethal autonomous weapons systems; Arms control -- Periodicals; Disarmament -- Periodicals; 327.174
• DOI: 10.1080/13523260.2020.1771508
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1352-3260

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Whether and how Lethal Autonomous Weapons Systems (LAWS) can and should be regulated is intensely debated among governments, scholars, and campaigning activists. This article argues that the strategy of the Campaign to Stop Killer Robots to obtain a legally binding instrument to regulate LAWS within the framework of the United Nations Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons is not likely to be effective, as it is modeled after previous humanitarian disarmament successes and not tailored to the specifics of the issue. This assessment is based on a systematic comparison of the autonomous weapons case with the cases of blinding laser weapons and anti-personnel landmines that makes use of an analytical framework consisting of issue-related, actor-related, and institution-related campaign strategy components. Considering the differences between these three cases, the authors recommend that the LAWS campaign strategy be adjusted in terms of institutional choices, substance, and regulatory design.