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The Vision of Reykjavik: Steps Toward A World Free of Nuclear Weapons
The purpose of this class is to recover the Vision of Reykjavik - the vision of a world free of nuclear weapons. We will do this by (a) refreshing our memories about nuclear weapons and their history, (b) bringing us up to date on how nuclear proliferation and the emergence of terrorist groups is changing the equation, and (c) addressing the commonly voiced objections to trying to do anything. The main thrust will be in providing the information needed for thinking about the issue, and identifying the things that each of us can do to help reduce the nuclear risk. Click here to download a poster for the event (and post it somewhere!!). Click here to read more for more details.
The Vision of Reykjavik: Steps Toward A World Free of Nuclear Weapons Richard Duda and Ray Schuster We have lived under the threat of nuclear weapons for 65 years. During that time we have witnessed advances and retreats in the effort to control the genie that nuclear physicists let out of the bottle. In 1986, Reagan and Gorbachev met at Reykjavik, Iceland, and came amazingly close to agreeing to eliminate all nuclear weapons. But starting in the mid 1990's, a decade of serious decline set in, as first India, then Pakistan, and then North Korea went nuclear. Yet, we have recently enjoyed a new turn around, with Obama's public commitment to a world free of nuclear weapons, the Senate's recent hard-fought ratification of the New START treaty, and conservative politicians now calling for reviving the vision of Reykjavik. Thus, there are now reasons once again for hope. The purpose of this class is to refresh our memories about the facts about nuclear weapons, to bring us up to date on how nuclear proliferation and the emergence of terrorist groups is changing the equation, and to address the following commonly voiced objections to trying to do anything: 1. Nuclear weapons have prevented World War III for over 60 years. (If it ain't broke, don't fix it.) 2. Getting rid of all nukes is impossible, so the goal is counterproductive. (Don't let the perfect be the enemy of the good.) 3. Even if all nukes were eliminated, the knowledge of how to build the bomb will always be with us. (You can't put the genie back in the bottle.) 4. Small countries have no choice - it is their only defense against more powerful neighbors. 5. Our allies depend on our "nuclear umbrella." If we disarm, they will just build their own nukes. 6. Any president who entertains the absurd goal of "zero" loses credibility, making war more likely. 7. The problem is so large and complicated, there isn't anything that anyone can do about it. These questions will be addressed in four meetings. Attendees will be expected to read two or three short background papers before each meeting. Each meeting will include an introductory lecture,the showing of an excerpt from a relevant DVD, a discussion of the background papers, and free time for an open discussion. For those who are interested, things that one of can do to help reduce the nuclear risk will be suggested, but the main thrust will be in providing the information for thinking and talking about the issue.
Registration appreciated: Email: eventsignup@uucpa.org Phone: 650-494-0541Childcare usually available with two week notice; email childcare@uucpa.org Agenda Meeting 1- April 5 Fireside Room Where are we and how we got here DVD: Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb
Meeting 2- April 12 Fireside Room Is a world free of nuclear weapons desirable? DVD: The Myth of Nuclear Deterrence
Meeting 3- April 19 Room 9 Is a world free of nuclear weapons achievable? DVD: Nuclear Tipping Point, Part 1
Meeting 4- April 26 Fireside Room How we might realize the Vision of Reykjavik DVD: Nuclear Tipping Point, Part 2
Reading List
Attendees are expected to come prepared to each meeting by having made a good faith effort to read the background material. Paper copies will not be provided, but all of the papers are available on the web. CD-ROMs containing all of the papers, plus additional resources, will be distributed at the first meeting, and, if desired, can be obtained in advance from Dick Duda (d_duda@uucpa.org).
Readings before Meeting 1 Martin Taggart, "Do nuclear weapons still have a role in international relations in the post-Cold War era?" International Relations, May 10, 2008. (4 pages)
Philip Taubman, "The trouble with zero," New York Times, May 9, 2009. (4 pages) http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/10/weekinreview/10taubman.htm
Jonathan Schell, "Reaching zero," The Nation, April 19, 2010. (9 pages)
Readings before Meeting 2 George P. Shultz, William J. Perry, Henry A. Kissinger and Sam Nunn, "A world free of nuclear weapons," Wall Street Journal, Jan. 4, 2007. (4 pages)
Harold Brown and John Deutch, "The nuclear disarmament fantasy," Wall Street Journal, 11/19/2007. (5 pages)
Jacqueline Cabasso, "Rhetoric vs. reality: disarmament policy in the age of Obama," NGO Committee on Disarmament, Peace & Security, Sept. 14, 2010. (4 pages)
Readings before Meeting 3 Bruno Tertrais, "The illogic of zero," The Washington Quarterly, v.33, n.2, Apr 2010. (14 pages)
Barry M. Blechman, "Why we need to eliminate nuclear weapons-and how to do it," Elements of a Nuclear Disarmament Treaty: Unblocking the Road to Zero, The Henry L. Stimson Center, Washington, D.C., 2010. (26 pages - read 8 to 18)
Readings before Meeting 4 Anon., "Talking about nuclear weapons with the persuadable middle," Stanley Foundation, U.S. in the World Initiative, Nov. 2009. (24 pages - read 1 to 15)
Nathan Pyles, "Building political will: Branding the nuclear-free-world argument," Nonproliferation Review, Vol. 15, No. 3, , pp. 441-458, Nov., 2008. (18 pages)
 
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Friday 22-Nov
Friday 29-Nov Friday 06-Dec Wednesday 11-Dec Friday 13-Dec Friday 20-Dec Friday 27-Dec Saturday 11-Jan
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You are invited to a series of classes taught by MVPJ Steering Committee member Richard Duda.