Nuclear Commerce : An Instrument of Destruction and Profit

Abstract

All over the world, it is largely believed and accepted by most of scientists that nuclear energy is a cheap source of energy for generating electricity. Also, it is widely held that nuclear energy is pollution free, therefore, it must be spread because it helps in mitigating the global climate change threat. Apart from the civilian purposes, nuclear energy is also used for manufacturing nuclear warheads for security purposes or avoiding major wars between the rival states. This study tries to explain the dilemma in Indian context that despite nuclear energy is an element of pollution and a threat to biodiversity, the government is planning to construct more breeder reactors in India. In addition, this study highlights that nuclear energy is expensive than other sources of energy. The nuclear industries are selling nuclear equipment to states which are even outside of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). This study argues that the nuclear commerce is a new form of capital accumulation in the name of development which might result into the destruction of the globe.