Do young Germans express fondness for explosives?
In the latest issue of the magazine FUTURZWEI, titled "Numbers of Horror," Harald Welzer delves into a thought-provoking op-ed on the topics of nuclear power and nuclear weapons, and their potential implications for Germany's security policy.
The article starts by highlighting the staggering global military spending of 2,700 billion dollars a year, a figure that, when compared to the worldwide investment against hunger, paints a sobering picture. The discussion then turns to public opinion within Germany, with the revelation that just over half (54 percent) of 18- to 24-year-olds favour the idea of Germany possessing nuclear weapons. However, it's important to note that a clear majority of three quarters are against a German atomic bomb, including supporters of the Alternative für Deutschland (AfD).
The historical context of nuclear weapons is not overlooked, with references to significant events such as the Chernobyl disaster, the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, the atomic arms race, the divided Germany's permanent atomic threat, and the US atomic bomb tests in the Pacific.
Jens Spahn, the chairman of the CDU/CSU parliamentary group, has been vocal about his advocacy for a German nuclear weapons program. The article suggests that such a program could be seen as a security policy instrument and a means to gain more respect and independence. However, it's crucial to note that the article does not suggest that nuclear power is required for a German nuclear weapon.
Leo, a friend of the author and an expert in military strength and national security, having served in the military and worked for the Bundeswehr, expresses a skeptical view towards the idea of a German nuclear weapons program, stating that resources are needed for conventional rearmament. Another friend, conversely, expresses a concerning view that they hope for a nuclear war to end quickly.
The article goes on to discuss the group in Germany that supports Spahn's view, primarily the CDU/CSU parliamentary group, who advocate for Germany to financially participate in modernizing French and British nuclear arsenals and obtain access to these weapons under a nuclear sharing agreement.
Contributors to the op-ed, besides Harald Welzer, include Matthias Brandt, Dana Giesecke, Maja Goepel, Wolf Lotter, Armin Nassehi, Soenke Neitzel, and Katja Salamo.
The new issue of the magazine FUTURZWEI, "Numbers of Horror," is now available in the FUTURZWEI Shop. This thought-provoking piece serves as a timely reminder of the complexities and implications surrounding nuclear power and weapons, and their potential role in shaping Germany's future security policy.
