Technology advances and innovations have always been tightly connected with warfare and military purposes. Throughout the history technology and science were developing gradually; however, starting from the 20th century, the scientific advances have undergone a significant change. Though some scientific achievements are used for the population’s welfare, I am strongly convinced that the majority of scientific advances are used as revolutionary and powerful tools of warfare and destruction.
Scientific discoveries and achievements obviously help improve, facilitate and simplify the everyday life of the population. For instance, the invention of satellites enables people to explore the space, receive synoptic and geographical data, make high-resolution photos and have access to wireless communications and the Internet. Moreover, satellite observations of the Earth over the last 50 years help the scientists analyze and comprehend the processes that govern the planet, thus, it is possible to predict the disasters and save human lives (Earth observation from space: the first 50 years of scientific achievements 2008). Among other scientific accomplishments, there are innovations in pharmacology and medicine. The scientists have invented vaccines against many viruses, developed new drugs that are more effective and less aggressive to the human body, and advanced diagnostic methods. On the other hand, all the aforementioned scientific accomplishments can be used to the detriment of the humans’ lives and well-being. Though technological benefits for the population are indisputable, I suggest that breakthrough technologies are often used to invent powerful weapons, improve the conduct of warfare and increase military effectiveness.
First of all, technology makes killing less personal. For instance, the invention of remote-controlled drones, ranged weapons and nuclear bombs enables the army to preserve anonymity and avoid field battles (Lukparta & Andeshi, 2014). Stroeken in his book War, Technology, Anthropology (2012) states that introducing of stealth technologies results in many casualties since face-to-face combats become mediate and the victims are dehumanized (p. 7). Complete automation of weapon, such as land-based missiles, makes it possible for the army to kill the enemy by pressing a button. “The machine identifies the enemy attack and responds by firing warheads at stationary” (Van Creveld, 1991). Consequently, technological achievements eliminate the necessity of open field battles and make the killing of the enemy less personal.
Secondly, scientific advances induce the appearance of a more aggressive weapon and more twisted methods of warfare. Nowadays the leading countries use high-tech weapons with accurate target acquisition and greater range of lethality. It means that the area of the battlefield is about 150 by 150 km, and the death toll is bigger as well (Lukparta & Andeshi, 2014). The invention of eavesdropping technologies, air defense systems, and unmanned aircrafts make the war more complicated and intricate. Moreover, with the appearance of cyber power, the battlefield is also transferred into the virtual space. For instance, organized denial-of-service attacks can prevent the whole country’s Internet system from functioning, like it happened to Georgia in 2008” (‘Power and national security in cyberspace’ 2011). Though such methods are considered illegal, they are still widely used by the opponents. Thus, technologies are applied to make more advanced tools of war.
Finally, technologies promote the application of non-traditional methods of warfare, such as mass influence via media. Propaganda has been successfully and skilfully used since the ancient times (Bratic, n.d). However, the period of World War I was crucial in the development of mass persuasion techniques via sharing printed materials, movies and papers (Bratic, n.d). Nowadays propaganda methods are even more delicate. “Information can travel through cyberspace and create soft power by attracting citizens of another country” (‘Power and national security in cyberspace’ 2011, p. 13). Weapon defeats the military while propaganda affects civilians, which means that the impact is much more distinct, especially in long-term perspective. In this way, the development of communication technologies and cyberspace is highly damaging and destructive for the population.
The undeniable fact is that technological benefits are used both by the civilian population and the army. The scientific achievements always imply the improvement of the military tools and weapons. Despite the evident advantages of the technologies, they may be highly destructive to the humanity, if used for military purposes.
References
‘Power and national security in cyberspace’ 2011, in K Lord (ed.), America’s cyber future: Security and prosperity in the information age, Center for a new American Security, Washington D.C., pp. 7-21.
Bratic, V. (n.d). Examining piece-oriented media in areas of violent conflict. Web.
Earth observation from space: the first 50 years of scientific achievements 2008, Washington D.C.: National academies press.
Lukparta, V. & Andeshi C. (2014). Impact of technology on modern life: a colossus in defence and security. 2(2). 45-56. Web.
Stroeken, K. (2012). War, technology, anthropology. New York: Berghahn Books.
Van Creveld, M. (1991). Technology and war. New York: Free Press.