The purpose and tone of the three declarations are very similar. They all warned that nuclear war using hydrogen bombs would bring devastating disasters to mankind, and urged governments of all countries to give up the use of force as a means to achieve political goals, expressing scientists' strong sense of social responsibility. However, their influence is different, and some of them disappeared without attracting public attention. It was only after the publication of the Russell-Einstein Declaration that an international conference, Pugwash Conference on Science and World Affairs, was promoted, and a famous international scientist peace movement, Pugwash Movement, was triggered.
The publication of the Russell-Einstein Declaration
Russell-Einstein Manifesto originated from Russell's profound thinking and ideological transformation after the explosion of atomic bomb and hydrogen bomb. He was the first to realize that nuclear war is no longer a continuation of other political means declared by clausewitz in On War, but a bitter medicine that leads to the mutual destruction of mankind. 1In mid-June, 954, Russell took the initiative to write to the BBC, hoping to awaken the public and appeal to mankind to save themselves from global self-extinction before it was too late. 12 On February 23rd, BBC broadcasted Russell's famous speech "The Disaster of Mankind". In his speech, Russell warned that friends, enemies and neutrals would be wiped out in a world war using hydrogen bombs, and called on all people with conscience to remember their humanity and forget other things.
Russell warned that the world was facing the destruction of nuclear war at the most festive moment of Christmas Eve, which had a strong shock to government officials, scientists and ordinary people all over the world. At the beginning of 1955, at the suggestion of German theoretical physicist M. Born and French physicist J. F. Joliot-Curie, he began to rewrite his speech on "human disaster" into a manifesto, and sought the signature support of other scientists.
Russell first sought Einstein's support. On February 1955, he wrote to Einstein to discuss the matter. 16 In February, Einstein wrote back and agreed, and signed the declaration on April 1 1. A few days after Einstein signed it, he died of ruptured abdominal aortic sclerosis. Einstein's signature before his death is regarded as "the last words of a man who symbolizes the peak of human wisdom, begging us not to let our civilization be destroyed by human stupidity." The document drafted by Russell was originally named "Statement on Nuclear Weapons", later changed to "Russell-Einstein Appeal", and now it is generally called "Russell-Einstein Declaration". The names of two great men endow this document with special charm.
Later, scientists who joined the signature included German theoretical physicist Born, winner of the 1954 Nobel Prize in Physics, bridgman, founder of American high-pressure physics, Polish physicist and L. Infield, one of the founders of Einstein-Infield-Hoffman theory. Joliot-Curie, a French physicist who won the 1935 Nobel Prize in Chemistry, H.J. Muller, an American geneticist who won the 1946 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, L. Pauling, an American chemist who won the 1954 Nobel Prize in Chemistry and the 1962 Nobel Peace Prize, and 1 The number of British physicist C.F. Powell and Japanese physicist who signed the 950 Nobel Prize in Physics is small, but they come from eastern and western countries, including the left and right. The declaration has no ideological bias and does not favor any party of the political opposition.
1955 On July 9th, Russell held a press conference in caston Hall, London, and announced the Russell-Einstein Declaration. Starting from reality and rationality, Russell put aside the prejudice of ideology, religious belief, region, country and race, maintained justice and balance, and stood on the standpoint of all mankind to safeguard the security interests of all mankind. His neutral position in the declaration has been recognized by scientists in the east and west, and has gradually gained the trust of governments in various countries. This recognition and trust was the premise that the East-West Conference could be held in turn in various countries during the Cold War, and influenced the disarmament policies of various governments.
The convening of the Pugwash Conference
The first appeal of the Russell-Einstein Declaration was directed at scientists all over the world. At the beginning of the declaration, it pointed out: "In the tragic situation facing mankind, we feel that scientists should gather together to estimate the dangers caused by weapons of mass destruction and discuss them according to the spirit of the attached draft in order to reach an agreement." The conference of scientists mentioned in the declaration is an international conference attended by scientists from East and West. In the face of the dangers brought by weapons of mass destruction to all mankind, scientists from different camps need to remain objective and neutral and discuss countermeasures together. During the cold war when political relations were tense, it was a realistic and feasible plan to hold a meeting of scientists.
Because American industrialist C. Eaton actively sponsored the first international conference of scientists advocated by the Russell-Einstein Declaration held in Pugwash from July 7, 1957 to June 7, 1957, the subsequent conferences have been called Pugwash Conference on Science and World Affairs, or Pugwash Conference for short. This scientist movement is called Pugwash Conference.
The first Pugwash meeting was presided over by Powell and Rotblat. Twenty-two scientists from 10 countries were divided into three committees for group discussion after the general discussion at the first plenary meeting. The First Committee assessed the dangers caused by the use of atomic energy in peacetime and wartime, and concluded that the impact of nuclear test dust is global and affects citizens of all countries. A certain amount of nuclear test dust will affect genes and lead to gene mutation, and its influence will last for generations; The catastrophic impact of nuclear war will be thousands of times greater than that of nuclear test dust, hundreds of millions of people will be killed by explosion, high temperature and ionizing radiation at once, and global radioactive dust will cause a wide range of genetic and other damage. For the first time, scientists from East and West reached an agreement on the radioactive dangers of nuclear tests.
When the Second Committee discussed the issue of nuclear weapons control, it quickly came to the conclusion that the issue was too complicated and controversial to make specific recommendations within the specified time, but it outlined the overall goal of disarmament: all countries must abolish war and its threat to human life; Stop the arms race and immediately suspend atomic bomb testing; Use political solutions to eliminate the risk of local war among small countries and prevent the intervention of big countries from leading to nuclear war.
The Third Committee devoted itself to the responsibility of scientists, and scored 65,438+065,438+0 in public policy, human security, youth education, international cooperation and freedom of thought, and concluded that the most important responsibility of scientists outside their professional work is to try their best to stop wars and help establish permanent and universal peace; They can contribute by publicizing the destructive and constructive potential of science to the public, or they can use this opportunity to help formulate national policies.
On the last day, each committee prepared a report for discussion in the plenary session and attached it to the final statement. At the end of the meeting, a five-member standing committee was set up to guide the organization of similar meetings, and Russell was elected as the chairman of the committee. After the meeting, many scientific magazines reprinted the full text of the statement issued by the meeting, and its views were accepted by other scientist groups and people in many countries. In the Soviet Union and China, the conference statement was widely publicized and endorsed by many scientists. In the west, the main ideas of the conference are gradually accepted by many scientists.
19571218-20, the pugwash standing Committee held a meeting in London and decided to take three forms in the future: holding a large-scale meeting to discuss universal problems and announcing solutions to large-scale global problems; Hold small-scale meetings to clarify scientists' own ideas and study the social significance of scientific development; Hold small-scale meetings to discuss direct political issues, mainly those affecting the national government. According to the suggestion of most scientists, the first meeting is held occasionally, the second meeting is decided to be an annual Pugwash meeting, and the third meeting is a small symposium, each time related to a specific theme. The meeting also established three goals of Pugwash, namely, influencing the government, establishing communication channels between scientists and educating public opinion.
Since the first Pugwash Conference on Science and World Affairs, the 55th Pugwash Annual Conference has been held. Pugwash Conference has developed into a lasting international peace movement for scientists for a long time. The basic principles of Pugwash Conference are: scientists only attend the conference in their personal capacity, not representing an organization, a country or a government, so as to facilitate the participants to freely exchange ideas and reach mutual understanding and trust; Natural scientists, humanities and social scientists work closely with government decision makers to discuss how to solve complex problems brought about by scientific and technological development from a multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary perspective; Keep away from the sight of the news media, keep the meeting informal and unofficial, and create an atmosphere conducive to mutual trust and frank dialogue for the participants; In order to seek the diversity of sponsorship, Pugwash groups of various countries take turns to preside over the meeting to prevent the shortage of funds, so as to maintain independence and objectivity.
Urge governments to abandon nuclear war plans.
The second appeal of the Russell-Einstein Declaration is directed at governments. At the end of the declaration, it reads: "In view of the fact that nuclear weapons will be used in any future world war, and such weapons threaten the continued survival of mankind, we urge governments all over the world to recognize and openly admit that their goals can never be achieved through world war. Therefore, we also urge them to seek peaceful solutions to all disputes between them. " After the declaration was published, Russell sent copies to the heads of government of the United States, the Soviet Union, China, Britain, France and Canada. It is much more difficult to urge governments to give up the means of war to resolve disputes than to call on scientists to attend meetings and assess the dangers posed by weapons of mass destruction to mankind. Scientists didn't let this appeal stay completely literal, but took a series of practical actions to prevent the outbreak of nuclear war.
The initial action was to objectively and deeply evaluate the harm of nuclear war to human beings by convening a series of scientists' meetings, and to draw conclusions and suggestions that are recognized by scientists from both east and west and have scientific basis, thus affecting the strategic decisions of governments of various countries. At the Pugwash seminar, scientists and arms control experts from various countries made a scientific, objective, frank and clear analysis and evaluation of the possible results of the nuclear arms race and nuclear weapons attack, which helped the hostile camps to maintain a strategic balance and give up their strategic attempts to preempt, especially discouraging political leaders from making rash and risky decisions. Scientists are also directly involved in behind-the-scenes mediation to help solve the war crisis and end the armed conflict as soon as possible. The Standing Committee of Pugwash directly wrote letters, telegrams or interviewed heads of government to mediate regional armed conflicts.
After the cold war, scientists attending Pugwash Conference continued to devote themselves to maintaining world peace and preventing the outbreak of nuclear war. In August 2002, the 52nd Pugwash Annual Meeting was held in the University of California. At the plenary session, the general goal of the Tenth Five-Year Plan (2002-2007) was adopted, one of which is to continue to convene scientists, technical experts and decision makers from countries or groups of countries with different security concepts, different ideologies, conflicts of interest and religious hostility to discuss countermeasures and measures to avoid those who have or may have weapons of mass destruction.
Today, at the special seminar on Middle East security, terrorism, Kashmir, North Korea and Iran's nuclear issues, natural scientists, humanities sociologists and former senior government officials from both opposing sides participated in the debate and discussion at the Pugwash meeting, which increased exchanges, understanding and trust and eased confrontation and tension.
Facilitate a series of arms control agreements
Advocating a nuclear disarmament agreement and easing international tensions is the third appeal put forward in the Russell-Einstein Declaration. This appeal is the first appeal-the direct result of the meeting of scientists, and also the second appeal-urging the government to give up preventive measures by means of war. However, since disarmament agreements and other agreements ultimately need to be signed by the government, disarmament measures also need to be implemented by the government. If scientists want to realize this appeal, they must first try to persuade the government to accept their scientific analysis and reasonable suggestions.
Scientists play an important role in promoting disarmament treaties and arms control negotiations. By holding a series of symposiums, expert group meetings and secret meetings, scientists conducted scientific analysis, objective exploration and debate on specific measures to stop and ease the arms race. Before formal negotiations, scientists first reached an agreement among themselves, paving the way for formal negotiations and formal agreements at the government level. With some scientists and scholars who are connected with the government and have an influence on the development of the situation, especially more and more official scientists and government consultants attending the Pugwash meeting, the views discussed at the Pugwash meeting are easier to approach the level of official decision-making.
In addition, Pugwash's agenda also includes general and complete disarmament, a comprehensive ban on nuclear tests, a ban on missile flight tests, a nuclear-weapon-free zone, cutting off the production of nuclear raw materials, anti-submarine warfare, a counter-attack force strategy, and talks on limiting strategic weapons. Pugwash Conference has always provided a forum to promote understanding between East and West, help clarify issues, put forward various new ideas and plans, and lay the foundation for negotiations at the government level. The more the official negotiations are deadlocked or even broken down, and the more tense the relationship between the East and the West, the more scientists will seize the opportunity to hold a meeting and discuss the countermeasures to solve the difficult problems repeatedly.
During the Cold War, the international treaties to which scientists contributed more or less wisdom mainly included the Partial Nuclear Test Ban Treaty, the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty. These international treaties and arms control measures did not provide a final solution, but they played a "brake" role in the escalating nuclear arms race during the Cold War.
After the end of the Cold War, Pugwash Conference continued to devote itself to preventing the proliferation of any weapons of mass destruction. Recommend taking concrete steps to eliminate all nuclear, biological and chemical weapons; Strengthen international monitoring and restrictions on the development, production and transfer of conventional weapons aimed at civilians; Minimize the incidence of war itself and eventually eliminate it; Seek creative solutions to disputes before the outbreak of armed conflicts, and quickly end the armed conflicts that have already occurred, so as to minimize their damage.
Although the conclusion of the nuclear disarmament treaty and the negotiation of other arms control measures are the result of many factors, scientists attending the Pugwash Conference played a special role in it. 1995 12 10 f Gester, chairman of the nobel Committee, said at the ceremony of awarding the nobel peace prize to Rotblat and pugwash conference on science and world affairs: "pugwash movement led to 1963 nuclear test-ban treaty,1963. Through long-term unremitting efforts, it is also the main promoter of this fundamental change in nuclear disarmament thinking since the end of the Cold War ... The Norwegian Nobel Committee will award them awards for this kind of work, and at the same time express the hope that this work will continue so that the disarmament that has begun can really bring a more peaceful world without nuclear weapons at some time in the future. " Pugwash scientists have won worldwide recognition for their long-term and unique contributions to disarmament and peace.
The Significance of Russell-Einstein Declaration Fifty Years Later
Today, 50 years after the publication of the Russell-Einstein Declaration, the world is no safer than in the Cold War era, and mankind is still facing the danger of weapons of mass destruction, especially the danger of international terrorist organizations seeking nuclear weapons. This era needs the Russell-Einstein Declaration as a guide for human actions.
Today's nuclear powers still regard nuclear weapons as a magic weapon to safeguard national security. Although the United States and Russia signed an agreement to reduce strategic nuclear weapons, the number of nuclear weapons in their arsenals is still staggering. The strategic nuclear weapons of the two sides have always been on duty, holding nuclear war exercises from time to time, developing new tactical nuclear weapons and strengthening the nuclear deterrence strategy. From the "Star Wars" plan aborted by the Reagan administration to the "National Missile Defense" (NMD) system and "Theater Missile Defense" (TMD) system vigorously promoted by the Bush administration, the only superpower in the world has not yet got out of the cold war mentality of "nuclear deterrence". Russia, unwilling to become a second-rate military power, tried to form an anti-containment force to compete with the United States by constantly updating the "White Poplar" (ss) series of strategic missiles. On June 65438, 2002+February 65438+March, the United States announced its unilateral withdrawal from the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty signed by the United States and the Soviet Union in June 1972, which wiped out the efforts of several generations of leaders of the United States and the Soviet Union, countless scientists and arms control experts in the last century, and the world may regress to the disorderly and dangerous era of nuclear weapons competition.
Meanwhile, nuclear weapons have spread to other countries for a long time. Members who have publicly announced their participation in the Nuclear Club include Britain, French, China, Indian and Pakistani. It is a well-known secret that Israel possesses nuclear weapons. In addition, some potential nuclear countries are striving to develop their own nuclear armament programs, some non-state groups may or have acquired weapons of mass destruction, and there is always the danger that nuclear materials will flow out of control into the hands of illegal elements. It is worth noting that chemical and biological weapons, as "cheap atomic bombs", are easily mastered by some irresponsible interest groups or political lunatics.
At the same time, worldwide economic exploitation, environmental degradation, poverty and hunger, resource shortage and unfair distribution all easily become hotbeds of despair, resentment, hostility and violence. Paranoia from culture, religion and race leads to intolerance, provides spiritual misleading to extreme behavior, and increases the possibility of regional conflicts and local wars. After the "9. 1 1" incident, international terrorism has become the most dangerous enemy threatening the well-being of all mankind. Trying to rely on force deterrence and strategic thinking based on preemptive strike has not fundamentally solved the problem in the new international political situation and the international anti-terrorism struggle.
Faced with all kinds of dangers and potential adverse effects brought by the development of science and technology, scientists still need to carry out international cooperation and interdisciplinary research, actively influence the mass media, the international scientific community and government decision makers through scientific analysis and rational discussion, and contribute new wisdom to the abolition of nuclear weapons, the elimination of all wars, the fight against international terrorism and the maintenance of the survival and security of all mankind. It is the eternal social responsibility of scientists all over the world to promote the use of science and technology for human welfare rather than destruction.
Faced with the complicated and changeable international situation and various dangers affecting human survival and social development, any responsible politician still needs to solve international political problems through peaceful dialogue, as called for in the declaration, so as to prevent local wars and regional conflicts from turning into nuclear disasters; Even with the advantages of science and technology, economic strength and military strength, government leaders should not give priority to war and implement a "preemptive" military strategy to resolve disputes between countries.
Building a beautiful world without nuclear weapons, wars and permanent peace is the highest goal of natural scientists, engineering and technical experts, social scientists, politicians, militarists, diplomats and industrialists in various countries, and it is also the unshirkable mission of the people of China with the strategic goal of "peaceful rise".
The Russell-Einstein Declaration calls on all mankind to "remember your humanity and forget others", which is the eternal motto of mankind!
Russell-Einstein declared: "In view of the fact that nuclear weapons will definitely be used in the future world war, and such weapons will definitely pose a threat to the survival of mankind, we call on governments all over the world to realize and publicly declare that their purpose cannot develop into a world war, and we call on them, so any disputes between them should be resolved by peaceful means."
In view of the fact that nuclear weapons will definitely be used in the future world war, and such weapons threaten the continued existence of mankind, we urge governments all over the world to realize and openly admit that world war will not help them achieve their goals. Therefore, we urge them to seek peaceful means to resolve all disputes between them. "