NIS, Uralsk GP&PW 2014

Research Paper Declaration Form

Student(print full name): Dauren Kaiyrzhan

Student ID number: 970409300024

Teacher (full name): Lora Naurizovna

Teacher (full name): Brian

Research Paper Title: “Do nuclear weapons have a positive effect on society?”

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the material drawn from other sources has been appropriately

acknowledged in line with NIS Academic Honesty Policy regulations

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When for the first time in history the hydrogen bomb was created, after witnessing the enormous destructive power, Robert Oppenheimer, father of the atomic bomb, quoted these words from the Bhagavad Gita: "Now I am become Death, the destroyer of worlds." The Nuclear Age began with the World War II Manhattan Project (1942–46), which ended with the Trinity test on July 16, 1945. The Project was led by Gen. Leslie Groves; physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer directed the scientific project. The Trinity test was conducted on testing vicinity, near the northern part of Alamogordo, New Mexico. The given experimental object was a somewhat less than 20-kiloton implosion-type fission device. Its yield was the equivalent of a bomb load of 2000 fully loaded with WWII B-29s. Now at the moment, the most powerful warhead an intercontinental ballistic missile has the explosive power, which is the same as all the bombs used in World War 2. This proves its immense necessity for control.

The bomb was officially used by the U.S. in order to justify their position in war against Japan. The nuclear warhead was dropped on two Japanese cities Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The result was catastrophic for the civilians living in those two places. After the bomb protocol was completed in Hiroshima, an estimated amount of 140,000 thousand people were killed. While in Nagasaki 24,000 were eradicated, the casualty was comparably lower, because of the region’s geographic location.

After realizing the destructive power of nuclear weapons, Imperial Japan announced its surrender. Thus the war had ended. Consequently the “Dawn of the Nuclear age” had begun. Since the first official usage of nuclear systems many there has been no major conflict between nations, disputes on the scale of a world war. Nuclear weapons have immense power, which is a fact that can’t be overlooked. Considering this fact, atomic devices have a large, noticeable impact on the whole world. Does this new revolutionary technology, possess a negative or positive effect?

An influential figurehead, the Iron Maiden, M. Thatcher remarked: “A world without nuclear weapons would be less stable and more dangerous for all of us.” This statement shows the belief of progress using the “new weapon”. To be more specific, it tells us that nuclear weapons have a positive impact on society itself.

I agree with this verification, as the advantageous sides outweigh the negative aspects. I believe Nuclear weapons have a positive effect on society.

After the Second World War ended, there was no other grand scale conflict. We can say that most nations valued the idea of “peace.” This long peace as observed by historians is a result from the birth of atomic bombs. At the given time interval, the main goal of the world’s superpowers is to avoid the usage of nuclear weapons. Meaning most nations are working towards unification, instead of advocating war. The prevention of war is an objective humanity needs to achieve. Many countries have contributed on focusing more on diplomacy than militaristic methods. As evidence the formation of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization is eligible. It is the first step in multinational warhead disarming. The main goal was to keep stability among former participants of war, mainly nations with military potential. All major problems were discussed on an open table, with negotiations; the era of war and violence had ended.

Even if “stability” existed, there were struggles in the fight for control. It was mainly between capitalistic and communistic ideologies. As a counter move against NATO, the Warsaw pact was formed between communist countries. The major rivalry between these two philosophies had many positive aspects, such as: the development of the economy, technological progress, advancement in science, improvement of international relationships. The most amazing fact is that these expectations were acquired without any major casualties. All were done considering the existence of nuclear technology. The arms race and technological battle ended with the disbandment of the Warsaw Pact.

At the current moment some have negative views towards the existence of nuclear weapons, as stated by Ted Turner: “If the Russian nuclear arsenal was fired at the United States and other targets, and we fired back at them with thousands of nuclear weapons, it would be the end of life on earth.” This is similar with the U.S. president Jimmy Carter’s remark: “When I was in the White House, I was confronted with the challenge of the Cold War. Both the Soviet Union and I had 30,000 nuclear weapons that could destroy the entire earth and I had to maintain the peace.” Most humanitarians and pacifists would agree with outlook, the abolishment of atomic warheads, but there is no guarantee that without the “system” the world would have a peace. As observed in many historic meetings and negotiations, the disastrous catastrophic aftermath of nuclear bombs kept nations from entering war. Instead of war strategic planning, technology had developed. This is very productive and useful for mankind.

A major outcome from this procedure was the change in direction. Nuclear weapons or more specifically have not only impacted on one field, but countless others. One of the major problems nowadays is finding a stable renewable alternative energy source. Nuclear energy is very effective, also more productive. After realizing the powerful implications of nuclear fusion and fission the role of these reactions and systems have increased. Currently 10% of the world’s electrical energy source comes from the production of nuclear plants. The power of Nuclear reactions is also used in space technology, mostly for moving vessels.

Nuclear reactors which emit large pulses of nuclear energy are being considered to be used in future cosmic expeditions, as the velocity achieved by this method is very high. A very large speed is very essential in space travel. Also it has been tested out several times by the Russian government. The United Nations has an Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) which resolves decisions of the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS) set up in 1959, and now with 71 active member states. UNOOSA has realized, or considered “that for some missions in outer space nuclear power sources are particularly suited or even essential owing to their compactness, long life and other attributes.” This means that nuclear reactors have multiple uses, it can produce electricity for the spacecraft, and this ensures communication and radio activity. The usage of this revolutionary strategic technology has many advantages. As the power used is conserved.

Not only that, even though most people are afraid of atomic bombs. There have been several meetings between Barack Obama and Vladimir Putin on the issue of asteroid defense, mainly using atomic weapons to protect earth. This verifies the belief, that nuclear bombs can be used for protection. Both parties agreed to the terms.

No matter how we look at it, any system or device has its pros and cons. In the case of nuclear bombs we have to look at it in rational open-minded perspective. When we analyze all results achieved after the first atomic testing. There has been no conflict between nations; civilian life has not been threatened by these weapons, meaning humans are only frightened by the negative use of these warheads. The main factor is the intent and purpose of these bombs, if the power source is used for peace, then it has no aim for a nuclear war. Many pacifists believe that the existence of nuclear powered devices will be the harbinger of total war and catastrophe.

If hypothetically nuclear weapons are in use, humans will feel a large amount of fear. True fear teaches people or makes them realize their own greatest weaknesses, as a positive result from, useless and ineffective events such as wars won’t happen. The main outcome we must prevent is war. War can be described in many parameters and perspectives, such as terrorism, conflicts etc. To stop major conflicts and we need discipline. The existence of nuclear weapons is keeping the world in a disciplined state, which we call peace. Atomic weapons is keeping most nations at balance with each other, this is to prevent total apocalypses. The term “nuclear war” will keep and enforce nations not take drastic measures in the near future. As the worst possible result humanity can acquire or reach is total annihilation.

My main aim as an optimist is to keep the equilibrium between countries, but realistically in order to sustain peace, we need tools. Humans by nature have instincts and the most profound of them is self-preservation. This will stop nations from taking suicidal actions in the future.

Overall when we analyze the whole system in multiple view points, we can determine that there are negative and positive views or perspectives. Any existing real system has its pluses and minuses. When we observe “nuclear bombs” the whole issue is too be looked at an international perspective. Thanks to nuclear weapons technology has improved, global disputes have been resolved, an era of peace, an alternative source of protection from asteroids, a candidate for alternative energy and etc. In conclusion, the existence of nuclear weapons possesses a reliable power, which is a tool that will be used for progress.

References:

1. Andrew L. R. (2009). The Role of Nuclear Weapons in International Politics: A Strategic Perspective. Retrieved from http://www.fpri.org/footnotes/1405.200905.ross.nuclearweaponsintlpolitics.html

2. Bill, G. (2013, June 20) Obama Directs New Limits on Pentagon Nuclear Weapons Use. The Washington Free Beacon. Retrieved from http://freebeacon.com/obama-directs-new-limits-on-pentagon-nuclear-weapons-use/

3. “A world without nuclear weapons would be less stable and more dangerous for all of us.” (Margaret, T. n.d.). Retrieved from

http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/keywords/weapons.html

4. “If the Russian nuclear arsenal was fired at the United States and other targets, and we fired back at them with thousands of nuclear weapons, it would be the end of life on earth.” (Ted, T. n.d.). http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/keywords/weapons.html

5. Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (UNODA, 1998). Retrieved from http://www.un.org/disarmament/WMD/Nuclear/NPTtext.shtml

6.: “When I was in the White House, I was confronted with the challenge of the Cold War. Both the Soviet Union and I had 30,000 nuclear weapons that could destroy the entire earth and I had to maintain the peace.” (Jimmy, C. n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/keywords/weapons.html

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