Blind devotion to nuclear deterrence: Our ancestors left a legacy of magnificent cathedrals while we’ll leave behind nuclear weapons

Authors

Erika Simpson, University of Western Ontario (Western University)Follow

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

4-26-2019

Journal

London Free Press

Abstract

The article critiques the global obsession with nuclear deterrence, contrasting it sharply with the legacy of cultural and humanitarian achievements like the rebuilding of Notre Dame Cathedral. She highlights staggering global expenditures on nuclear weapons, emphasizing their astronomical costs and the inherent risks they pose to global security and environmental stability. Simpson argues against the rationale that nuclear weapons prevent conventional wars, suggesting instead that they endanger humanity through their potential for catastrophic misuse or accidental deployment. She questions the wisdom of placing nuclear authority solely in the hands of leaders like Trump, Putin, Xi Jinping, and Kim Jong-Un, emphasizing the urgent need for international scrutiny and oversight of nuclear policies. Simpson advocates redirecting resources towards more constructive endeavors aligned with global development goals, challenging the prevailing belief in nuclear weapons as indispensable tools of security. Her critique serves as a call for reevaluation and responsible stewardship of nuclear capabilities in the interest of a safer and more sustainable future for humanity.

Notes

First published in London Free Press