There is a belief amongst those in the field of international relations that the lack of any major conflict has been due to the introduction of nuclear weapons. It is believed that the destructive power of these weapons have forced states to ponder more intently before taking a course that would lead to conflict. However, this belief is not held by all. Ward Wilson in his book “Five Myths about Nuclear Weapons” he argues that the causation between the lack of major conflict and nuclear weapons is either exaggerated in some case and in others it does not exists. This idea is further added to by the words of Former Defense Secretary Macnamara found in the documentary “Fog of War.” Each of these men use arguments depicting human nature and the
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While he does not fully agree with Pinker’s assertions he does agree with Pinker’s point that the “long peace” is not that long. That while human nature is advancing toward a society where violence and conflict will not be accepted, there are aspects of human nature, Pinker mention’s and uses religion as an example, that could end this peace and lead to major conflict. This thought is also mentioned by Former Defense Secretary Macnamera in “The Fog of War.” Macnamera states that humans can only be rational to a point and that in the end you cannot fully change human nature. As such there should be no belief that nuclear weapons will not prevent a major conflict. In this, they may be correct. It is human nature to act out of fear or anger and when such weapons can be launched at the command of one individual it must be believed that such an act could happen. However, such an act has not happened yet and it has been shown that the threat of such weapons have prevented some conflicts from expanding. It was the threat of use of nuclear weapons against China that finally brought all sides to the negotiating table during the Korean war. It was the threat of nuclear retaliation by the US that prevented India and Pakistan from escalating a series of conflicts during the late 1990’s and early
While he does not fully agree with Pinker’s assertions he does agree with Pinker’s point that the “long peace” is not that long. That while human nature is advancing toward a society where violence and conflict will not be accepted, there are aspects of human nature, Pinker mention’s and uses religion as an example, that could end this peace and lead to major conflict. This thought is also mentioned by Former Defense Secretary Macnamera in “The Fog of War.” Macnamera states that humans can only be rational to a point and that in the end you cannot fully change human nature. As such there should be no belief that nuclear weapons will not prevent a major conflict. In this, they may be correct. It is human nature to act out of fear or anger and when such weapons can be launched at the command of one individual it must be believed that such an act could happen. However, such an act has not happened yet and it has been shown that the threat of such weapons have prevented some conflicts from expanding. It was the threat of use of nuclear weapons against China that finally brought all sides to the negotiating table during the Korean war. It was the threat of nuclear retaliation by the US that prevented India and Pakistan from escalating a series of conflicts during the late 1990’s and early