Abolition vs Deterrence

The history of warfare in human history goes back 14,000 years. Throughout that history the attempts at deterrence have proved to be a fool’s game. All attempts at designing an increase in the destructive efficiency of individual weapons have only led to an increase in the morbidity and mortality for all sides within the purview of combat. In turn, newly developed weapons are inevitably acquired by the opposing sides to be incorporated in their own arsenals in an attempt to achieve parity. Thus, attempts at deterrence always lead to an enhanced destructive capacity by all parties resulting in only a short-lived tactical advantage for each individual party.

Nevertheless, the nuclear weapons states and other NATO members maintain the right to maintain their nuclear weapons because they believe that otherwise they would be giving up their perceived deterrent advantages. However, in reality, in a nuclear war, they would be destroyed along with the rest of humankind, something, due to their psychotic suicidal denial, that is a consequence they are unable to grasp.

Rather than pursue the illusionary security offered by the myth of deterrence, International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War, winners of the 1985 Nobel Peace Prize, and the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons, winner 2017 Nobel Peace Prize, are pursuing the only attainable goal to prevent nuclear war. The abolition of nuclear weapons. This is being done through the Treaty for the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW), now endorsed by ninety-four countries. There are already precedents for other treaties that have banned other categories of weapons of mass destruction including biological weapons, chemical weapons and landmines.

As the number of signatories continues to grow within the TPNW, there is an unstoppable momentum which is leading to the isolation of the nuclear weapons possessing states. It is this isolation which will turn the tide towards a world without nuclear weapons.

Read More About the 5 myths of Deterrence here.

This Submission Blog Piece was written by IPPNWC active Member Dr. Mark Leith.

Mark Leith is a retired psychiatrist and a member of International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War Canada and Seniors for Climate Action Now. He has published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal, the Globe and Mail, NOW magazine, Peace magazine, the Canadian Jewish News, the Toronto Star and Rabble. He is the author of the hit play 'Dinner With Goebbels' about war propaganda.