Choosing Between Democracy and Doom
Noam Chomsky said about the book Thermonuclear Monarchy:
“That we have escaped disaster so far is a near miracle. (Elaine) Scarry’s remarkable contribution should inspire us to abolish this colossal folly.”
Elaine Scarry is Professor of Aesthetics and General Theory of Value at Harvard. Her most recent book: Thermonuclear Monarchy, reminds us that one man, the President of the United States, has the power to end life for every one else by setting off nuclear weapons. Richard Nixon told reporters in 1974, “I can go into my office and pick up the telephone, and in 25 minutes 70 million people will be dead.”
Professor Scarry says that this violates our constitutional rights, undermines the social contract, and is fundamentally at odds with the deliberative principles of democracy. And she offers a new line of arguments and strategy for the nuclear disarmament movement.
At a time when the risk of nuclear war between the US and Russia around the conflict in Ukraine comes to world wide attention, the status of the nuclear weapons arsenals, and the question of who has the power to set them off becomes an existential question for all.
Elaine Scarry spoke on January 11, 2015, at the Wellington Ave. Church, Chicago, Illinois, by invitation of Chicago Area Peace Action. Thanks to Dale Lehman for the recording.
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