COUNTERPLAN/NUCLEAR ABOLITION

ADVANTAGE: ABOLITION STRIKES A BLOW AT GLOBAL HEGEMONY

NUCLEAR WEAPONS STATES KEEP THEM AS A SIGN OF PRIVILEGE, NOT REALIZING THAT OTHERS WILL WANT THAT PRIVILEGE AND THUS THREATEN THE ENTIRE WORLD

More than anything else, the issue seems to be one of privilege within the international system. The nuclear weapons states are comfortable with their privileges in the current two-tier system of nuclear "haves" and "have nots." The "haves" appear willing to cut back their arsenals, to eliminate underground nuclear tests (but not laboratory testing), and to make promises about "the ultimate goal" of eliminating nuclear weapons. They appear unwilling, however, to make a commitment to eliminating their nuclear weapons within a time-bound framework.

In essence, the nuclear weapons states are resisting giving up what they perceive to be their privileged status within the structure of the international system. Of course, there is a huge blindspot in their strategy of attempting to maintain their special status. In the last analysis, other states will do as the nuclear weapons states do, not as they say. If, as the behavior of the nuclear weapons states demonstrates, nuclear weapons are deployed to provide security in a dangerous world, then other states will eventually turn to this form of security. The result will be an even more dangerous world.  

NUCLEAR WEAPONS POSSESSED BY ANY FACTION OR NATION REDUCES SECURITY — CLAIMS OF THE OPPOSITE ARE APOLOGIES FOR WESTERN NUCLEAR HEGEMONY

Nuclear weapons, possessed no matter by which country or government, do not increase, but reduce, national security.

The Club of nuclear weapons-states has always been a collection of hypocrites who claim that their possession of these weapons is the best insurance for global peace, while their acquisition by others would be a threat!