Geography 98/198 paper topics: Dr. Strangelove - Monday, March 8th, 2004.

Papers should be approximately 1-2 pages in length, double spaced, 12 point times or similar font.

Due in class: Monday, March 15th, 2004.

Option A:

As we see in the assigned article, the existing nuclear powers of the world seem reluctant to allow other nations to develop their own nuclear capabilities. Does this make the world a safer place? Would the world in fact be safer if all nations had nuclear weapons, which would prevent the possibility of nuclear attack through Mutually Assured Destruction? Or is the world safer with one nuclear super power, to insure order in the rest of the countries.

Option B:

Do you think that the age of nuclear weapons has put an end to the possibility of a fighting war between first world nations? What do you think this means for wars fought between second and third world countries? What about wars between a first world nation and a second/third world country (i.e. the wars between the US and Afghanistan/Iraq)?

Note: First world countries are those which have a well developed industrial economy (think the US and Western Europe among others). Second world are those countries undergoing industrialization (many countries in the Middle East, some would argue Mexico, others). Third world nations are those which have yet to begin industrialization (many African and south American nations, Afghanistan, others).