Reflections VIII

In discussing the development and proliferation of nuclear weapons, weapons-applicable nuclear technology and information, and the need for a more peaceful and politically stable world, many theories come to the table such as multilateral disarmament and a more constructive negotiation strategy and methods to promote and achieve the elimination of nuclear weapons. However, because technology, once developed and applied, cannot be reversed and countries like to use nuclear weapons to amplify their “voice” on the world stage in order to increase their political power and economic leverage, there is little hope that nuclear weapons will be eliminated and the struggle for their attainment will cease in the near future. While we should be procuring every possible chance for political and economic stability in the future and be searching for an effective way to communicate and peacefully coexist, all of which will take considerable time and effort, what measures can be taken in the meantime? If other countries do not wish to comply with the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty (NPT) or any other form of disarmament, and nuclear weapons would continue to proliferate into the hands of the dangerous, the US and its allies would remain politically and economically vulnerable at the expense of any peace initiative, which would be doomed from the outset. Yet many convincingly argue that the widespread possession of nuclear weapons would be a deterrent and, as such, be comparable to a lack thereof, as a country would be afraid to make the first move to support a threat with the use of a nuclear weapon, as it would in effect result in self destruction when the inevitable retaliating strike is made. This theory is based on the human survival instinct and the fear of death. However, with increasingly bold and aggressive religious extremism, the deterrent factor might not be applicable, as it only takes one “martyr” without this instinctive fear of death and placed in a politically powerful position with access to nuclear weaponry to possibly annihilate millions. Therefore, if nuclear weapons cannot be eliminated or effectively controlled, as by nature, their sheer existence allows for dangerous hands and minds to work under the security radar and attain or develop such weapons, regardless of the decisions made by dominant countries, we must find ways to handle their presence for the future and ensure our safety. The most peaceful solution might be to have widespread, balanced, and treaty-controlled possession of nuclear weapons, while finding other ways and means to exert force on others and building new technology to maintain importance in the world market.