Nuclearism
Encyclopedia
Nuclearism is a political philosophy
, which advocates that nuclear weapon
s and nuclear power
are key to the maintenance of national security
and international stability. It argues that nuclear weapons, through deterrence
and mutually assured destruction, create peace in the international community, and that nuclear power provides energy security
. Also, proponents of nuclearism argue that, despite the expansion of the nuclear power industry, the diversion of nuclear materials from the nuclear fuel cycle
for military uses can be prevented.
As nuclearism is typically looked at from a critical viewpoint, proponents of the theory usually do not defend it as such, but rather as an inevitable expression of realism
given the technological development of nuclear weapons. Criticism of nuclearism is divided, as opponents disagree on the appropriate methodology to combat it. Some critics, like William Chaloupka (author of Knowing Nukes: The Politics and Culture of the Atom), advocate a "nuclear criticism" movement based on deconstruction
ist principles expounded by Jacques Derrida
. Others, such as James Der Derian
, advocate direct political action in favor of the complete elimination of nuclear weapons.
Another view is that nuclear weapons can be used, either in limited numbers or in large amounts without leading to apocalyptic scenarios. This view is held by those people who believe a nuclear conflict can be contained and, if not, that a general nuclear war can be won in the classical sense of the word. Such views often lead to the conclusion, as in the Former Soviet Union, that nuclear weapons are just a more powerful form of explosive and that they should be incorporated in war planning, even down to division levels.
Finally, a small number of people is of the opinion that it is immoral to spend huge amounts on nuclear weapons you are not willing to use, especially if such weapons could finish off an enemy quickly without having to sacrifice the life of one's own soldiers.
Political philosophy
Political philosophy is the study of such topics as liberty, justice, property, rights, law, and the enforcement of a legal code by authority: what they are, why they are needed, what, if anything, makes a government legitimate, what rights and freedoms it should protect and why, what form it...
, which advocates that nuclear weapon
Nuclear weapon
A nuclear weapon is an explosive device that derives its destructive force from nuclear reactions, either fission or a combination of fission and fusion. Both reactions release vast quantities of energy from relatively small amounts of matter. The first fission bomb test released the same amount...
s and nuclear power
Nuclear power
Nuclear power is the use of sustained nuclear fission to generate heat and electricity. Nuclear power plants provide about 6% of the world's energy and 13–14% of the world's electricity, with the U.S., France, and Japan together accounting for about 50% of nuclear generated electricity...
are key to the maintenance of national security
National security
National security is the requirement to maintain the survival of the state through the use of economic, diplomacy, power projection and political power. The concept developed mostly in the United States of America after World War II...
and international stability. It argues that nuclear weapons, through deterrence
Deterrence theory
Deterrence theory gained increased prominence as a military strategy during the Cold War with regard to the use of nuclear weapons, and features prominently in current United States foreign policy regarding the development of nuclear technology in North Korea and Iran. Deterrence theory however was...
and mutually assured destruction, create peace in the international community, and that nuclear power provides energy security
Energy security
Energy security is a term for an association between national security and the availability of natural resources for energy consumption. Access to cheap energy has become essential to the functioning of modern economies. However, the uneven distribution of energy supplies among countries has led...
. Also, proponents of nuclearism argue that, despite the expansion of the nuclear power industry, the diversion of nuclear materials from the nuclear fuel cycle
Nuclear fuel cycle
The nuclear fuel cycle, also called nuclear fuel chain, is the progression of nuclear fuel through a series of differing stages. It consists of steps in the front end, which are the preparation of the fuel, steps in the service period in which the fuel is used during reactor operation, and steps in...
for military uses can be prevented.
As nuclearism is typically looked at from a critical viewpoint, proponents of the theory usually do not defend it as such, but rather as an inevitable expression of realism
Realism (international relations)
In the study of international relations, Realism or political realism prioritizes national interest and security over ideology, moral concerns and social reconstructions...
given the technological development of nuclear weapons. Criticism of nuclearism is divided, as opponents disagree on the appropriate methodology to combat it. Some critics, like William Chaloupka (author of Knowing Nukes: The Politics and Culture of the Atom), advocate a "nuclear criticism" movement based on deconstruction
Deconstruction
Deconstruction is a term introduced by French philosopher Jacques Derrida in his 1967 book Of Grammatology. Although he carefully avoided defining the term directly, he sought to apply Martin Heidegger's concept of Destruktion or Abbau, to textual reading...
ist principles expounded by Jacques Derrida
Jacques Derrida
Jacques Derrida was a French philosopher, born in French Algeria. He developed the critical theory known as deconstruction and his work has been labeled as post-structuralism and associated with postmodern philosophy...
. Others, such as James Der Derian
James Der Derian
James Der Derian is a Watson Institute research professor of international studies and professor of political science at Brown University. In July 2004, he became the director of the Institute’s Global Security Program...
, advocate direct political action in favor of the complete elimination of nuclear weapons.
Another view is that nuclear weapons can be used, either in limited numbers or in large amounts without leading to apocalyptic scenarios. This view is held by those people who believe a nuclear conflict can be contained and, if not, that a general nuclear war can be won in the classical sense of the word. Such views often lead to the conclusion, as in the Former Soviet Union, that nuclear weapons are just a more powerful form of explosive and that they should be incorporated in war planning, even down to division levels.
Finally, a small number of people is of the opinion that it is immoral to spend huge amounts on nuclear weapons you are not willing to use, especially if such weapons could finish off an enemy quickly without having to sacrifice the life of one's own soldiers.