Peace Technology And The Role Of Ordinary People Essay

Technology does not have a simple positive or negative effect on individuals in society. "Peace, Technology, and the Role of Ordinary People", is one person 's eccentric view of the negative connotations associated with technology. Military technology provides us with the global power to protect citizens in the event of war. The money invested in technology is equivalent to what is used to pay workers ' salaries. Economic changes in society are as important to world leaders as they are to the ordinary man. In "Peace, Technology, and the Role of Ordinary People", technology is neither positive nor negative in its uses, but rather dependent upon its users.

Military technology is necessary to a countries survival in today 's arms race. It is necessary during both wartime and peace time, because it ensures that the country is capable of defending itself in the
event of war. If military technology is not developed, then should the country become involved in war they would not be equipped to assist those in need of aid. Unfortunately, the world is in a perpetual state of uncertainty and many countries have differences based solely on the fact that there is such diversity in the world. Should a country find itself incapable of producing weaponry quickly enough, it could result in mass murder, and the death of innocents. The sad fact is a country would find itself open to attack if it was to use the military budget to provide social services. Peace can be defined as an agreement or a treaty to end hostilities. However, the world is a contentious place, where a countries needs are often times not met in a treaty. For example, the Allies sign an agreement with Germany at the end of World War One, only to become involved in a second World War, when Germany breaks the Treaty of Versailles. Germany did not break the treaty in order to rule the world, as often ties thought, but to provide a better life for its citizens. Franklin states that "…the state has to assure at the same time the ongoing presence of an enemy.."(317). However, how does a person define enemy, and how do we classify the enemy as a threat? The development of military technology feeds the need for war, but it also protects us from war. Military technology is caught in a vicious circle, where there is little a single country can do. The development of military technology is a contentious topic at best.

Technology is necessary to the ongoing development of society. Without advancing technology the consumer would suffer, because of increases in cost. Machines are not solely negative in the context of job availability. With the introduction of machines certain jobs do become surplus, and less cost efficient. However, machinery does provide other job avenues to those who are willing to move into different fields. For example, with the introduction of x-rays, new jobs became open to society in the medicinal field. The x-ray did not replace a person, but provided society with better medical care. Certain machines introduced in the past centuries have provided humanity with more options. The introduction of the television provided jobs to those in the electronics field, increased stock values, and provided those in the entertainment field with more opportunities. Franklin goes over board in stating that people "have to be "laid off"- put aside like dirty dishes, sent away to someone else…" (319). Yes, some jobs become obsolete, but there are positive aspects to that technology. Although, people may have lost their jobs, most employers will help to educate these employees to provide them with a new field of work. However, the technology may provide those who were "laid off" with a new field of employment. For example, the introduction of the computer into the accounting field provided new opportunities for financial analysts, and bank managers. As society develops new jobs replace less cost efficient occupations.

Changes in the economy are important to everyone in society.
Access to resources and trade has always been important to the economic success of a country. Franklin believes that how "…the stock and money markets react to elections and referenda appears to be much more important to governments than the so-called will of the people" (318). However, part of the governments job is to ensure the economic success of the country. Without economic prosperity those in the country would suffer more then the government would. The government does not pay the bills, the people do, ad they will be the ones most negatively effected should the economy suffer from elections. The economy is an important part of elections, and referenda, because the people are very wary of how it will affect them. The economy is particularly important in elections, and this is why the government pays close attention to how they factor into it. The government is following the will of the people, when they focus on the economy, ensuring citizens do not suffer from their actions. Economic changes affect society as a whole, not certain
individuals.

In "Peace, Technology, and the Role of Ordinary People", the affect of technology is the result of how consumers put the technology to work. This editorial is one person 's view on the negative factors associated with technology. In an arms race, where countries complete for weapons, the continued development of military technology is necessary. The introduction of technology to the workplace does not have a damaging affect on the general public. Changes in the economy are important to the average person because they are more likely to affect them. The impact of technology on the modern day world is as of yet undefined.

Work CitedFindley, Timothy. "A LOOK AT PEACE, TECHNOLOGY, AND THE ROLE OF ORDINARY PEOPLE." Viewpoints 12. Toronto: Prentice Hall, 2002. 313-322.