Introduction
Nuclear weapons are notorious for their destructive power, which is independent of the size of the weapon. In short, these weapons are explosive devices that produce nuclear explosions by nuclear processes of fission and fusion (Rotblat, 2021). An entire city may be destroyed by the explosion, combustion, and subsequent radiation caused by it. The spread of nuclear weapons is a subject of global diplomatic practice due to the danger they pose to the world and society.
Explanation of the Development
Numerous peculiarities accompanied its development. The United States was the first to invent it and the only country to use it (Langhamer, 2019). However, the discovery of nuclear processes is attributed to many European scientists.
The United States was able to accept these scientists who had to escape the growing fascism and nazism in Europe. In the end, Robert Oppenheimer made the final contribution to the creation of an atomic bomb (Rotblat, 2021). Nuclear weaponry could have had another fate if not for the European ideological shifts.
Imagining an Alternative Social or Cultural Context
If scientists were not frightened by the growing political and social tendencies of the time, the Germans could have invented nuclear weapons. In this context, they would have probably used them in their war against the USSR, securing their victory. Moreover, this display would have discouraged the United States from entering the war, leaving the nations of Eurasia in the hands of Germany, Italy, and Japan. This can be considered the end of democracy in the world since it is unlikely that free nations will remain out of reach.
Reflections on the Social Context of STEM Research
In terms of STEM, the implication is that research that is currently labeled unethical, such as eugenics, would still be intact. It also showcases the importance of social context in STEM through the example of human capital flight. Consequently, to achieve the maximum profit from STEM, there is a need to perceive any scientist as an asset, regardless of their traits and origin.
Conclusion
Overall, nuclear weaponry rightfully belongs among the most significant inventions of the previous century. Their sheer destructive power makes nuclear bombs a tool used for intimidation and pressure, both by the military and by politics. The first nuclear bomb was invented in the United States, namely due to the peculiarities of European social and ideological development. Consequently, these variables must be considered to ensure successful and safe STEM development.
References
Langhamer, C. (2019). Mass observing the atom bomb: The emotional politics of August 1945. Contemporary British History, 33(2), 208-225. Web.
Rotblat, J. (2021). Nuclear weapons: The road to zero. Routledge.