BeIR/webis-touche2020 huggingface dataset:
Will indirectly lead to the spread of Nuclear Weapons

Nuclear power does not directly lead to nuclear weapons. Such belief is a myth based on inaccurate scientific facts. One crucial difference between nuclear power and nuclear weapon is the substance used. For example, Uranium has three isotopes: U238, U235 and U233. Among these U238, while being the dominant form in nature, is too stable to be used for nuclear fission. Therefore the concentration of U235 which is below 0.7% in natural state has to be enriched to 2~5% for a power-plant. However, for Uranium to be categorized as weapons-grade, the concentration of U235 has to be over 90%. Until such process—called enrichment—is applied, fuel used for power generation is useless for manufacturing weapons. Another fundamental difference between the two is the burnup rate of the reactors. Burnup is a measure of the amount of energy extracted from nuclear fuel source. While power-plant reactors require high burnup for maximum generation, nuclear weapons require low burnup to control the detonation sequence. Burnup rate is a fundamental factor in reactors that cannot be simply changed, especially in the case of light water reactors that are prevalent in the status quo. Furthermore number of other factors such as neutron spectrum and type of coolants has to be altered before a powerplant can be used as a weapons factory. Therefore the Proposition’s claim that export of nuclear technology will directly lead to proliferation is vastly overstated. Additional precautions can also be taken. Allowing exportation of nuclear technology doesn’t mean it will be done without any regulation. Restrictions such as only allowing countries that have signed the non-proliferation treaty and have agreed to a regular inspection by IAEA to partake in the exportation process will take care of the Proposition’s fear. In conclusion the risks the Proposition mentioned are either scientifically inaccurate or can be effectively curbed with international regulations.
South Korea Summary

In this era of globalization, international cooperation is essential. However, an unified international society is still a dream. Cultural and socioeconomic discrepancy need to be resolved. The UN, like it or not, is still a league of nations, not a universal state that derives legitimacy from citizens. Its incompetency in dealing with nuclear armament or global warming may be criticized, yet we can’t infringe on sovereignty reserved for each state unless we can all rise above national interests to establish a truly unified institution that represents us all equally. In this debate, the proposition alleged what the UN should do. It stated that the UN should respond to safety concern; that it should suppress an indirect if not poorly related step for nuclear armament; that it should tell what’s bad for a country and act for that country to avoid what it perceives to be mistakes. The opposition showed the UN mustn’t act on assumptions. When it’s clear that many states want expansion of nuclear energy, when no consensus has arrived on its suppression, the UN should not launch a lonely crusade that it does not have right to initiate. The proposition nevertheless tells what UN should do, reiterating nuclear threat and abuse of political leverage. However the proposition never rebutted to scientific facts that distinguish civilian and military use of nuclear power. The proposition never responded to the choices importing countries do have and willingly make. Simply there is no reason to believe the necessity of a universal, complete and strict ban. More importantly, the proposition never responds to question of sovereignty itself. Situational necessity, which is even false, doesn’t prove presence of predominant consent in various states. Questionable legitimacy is the last thing the UN wants when burdened with so much more urgent matters that it hasn’t even begun to solve. The UN must succeed on solving present problems to gain support and authority it desperately needs for future, when we may even try to solve nuclear matter altogether. The proposition again lists what UN does—all IAEA regulations and sanctions. However the proposition never established a foundation to show how export of civilian nuclear technology should be regarded as essentially the same matter. The list only strengthens our case by showing that those broad regulations that require minimal monitoring on civilian usage and economic sanctions that don’t even work are the only means the UN can wield; that the UN even failed to enforce those means and certainly is not able to exert stronger enforcement. Nuclear energy is the only present alternative to fossil fuels. Dangling on still uneconomic alternatives or undergoing trial-and-error to develop own nuclear technology will not only cost more money but miserably fail to prepare already lagging nations in the new energy crisis. With clear benefits of export and lack of the UN’s authority, we’re proud to oppose.
Drastically increased threat of Nuclear terrorism

The concerns the Proposition is raising are NOT INTRINSIC to the issue of exportation but relates to the operation ONCE THE TECHNOLOGY IS IMPORTED. Not only do they detract from the scope of debate, they can be effectively addressed by installation of proper security measures. We have 3 contentions. First, certain level of security and management systems will be a prerequisite for the exportation. Second, if anything the exportations will provide better security and management systems. 1, in the current energy race countries don’t have time. As soon as they have the technology to BUILD a nuclear plant they will go ahead without waiting for adequate security measures to be established. 2, even if they do develop security measures, the Opposition is very skeptical as to the effectiveness of a security system in a country where its most important naval base comes under seize. The very example the Proposition has given us proves the need for exportation of reactor technology and the entailing security systems. 3, the Proposition is failing to consider the process of BUILDING a plant. Such transition period is a much easier time for the terrorists to seize or sabotage the process as these novice countries lack both the know-how and management of such know-how. Third, regarding the dirty bomb. 1, the main threat of dirty bomb comes from the conventional explosive not the radioactive material. According to test explosion done by US Department of Energy, even in the extreme condition that nothing is done to clean up the affected area and everyone stays in the affected area for one year the radiation exposure does not reach fatal standards. 2, radioactive material used for a dirty bomb doesn’t come from guarded plants but research labs, construction sites and medical facilities(even X-ray pictures require the use of radioactive materials). 3, exportation will increase the importing country’s security and management regarding radioactive materials as explained above
Summary

Its appalling how team opposition completely disregarded the issue of safety when it comes to such a delicate issue, they failed to realize the impact of such a transfer of nuclear reactor technology to countries who are incapable of maintaining and securing it. All they talked about was how efficient nuclear power plants are.Team opposition had to prove to us how beyond reasonable doubt, there are insignificant, if any draw backs of the export of this technology, which they clearly failed to do. They went into the chemistry of radioactive materials, even though it is a known fact that materials and equipment from nuclear power plants can be used to make dirty bombs. Then they brought up an argument stating that the UN has no authority over such issues, which is clearly not the case with nuclear technology. They blatantly ignored our concerns and failed to even present an alternative to our model. Team proposition on the other hand pointed out the significant drawbacks of such export of nuclear reactor technology. Not only did we highlight the fact that countries may be incapable of handling these sensitive systems but also about the increased threat of nuclear terrorism, posing a threat to regional security. We also underscored the fact that this will indirectly lead to the spread of nuclear weapons resulting in a nuclear arms race, we pointed out how supplier countries will use this as a political tool and how it will lead to the exploitation of importer countries. The opposition clearly failed to engage with these issues are kept presenting a one-sided view of the whole issue. On grounds that team proposition established the need for such an action, highlighted the real concerns about this practice under the status quo, substantiated all claims and provided solid refutations to the arguments presented by the worthy opposition, this case clearly belongs with team Pakistan.
Feasibility

Questionable legitimacy of the ban will debilitate the UN’s already feeble ability to enforce; the only result is a policy disaster. As stated above, the UN’s authority on this matter is neither supported by UN charter nor by precedents. Many countries interested in ex(in)porting nuclear technology will challenge legitimacy of the ban. They may blatantly ignore the ban, considering the UN has no substantial means to punish them. Besides, if any member of the Security Council opposes the ban, any sanctions may be virtually impossible, not to mention the possibility of approving the ban in the first place. Even setting aside the question of authority, the UN has struggled with serious enforcement issues. North Korea voluntarily walked out of NPT and developed nuclear bomb. It imported technology right under the UN’s eyes, yet retribution has been trivial. A series of economic sanctions[[UN resolution 1695, 1718, 1874]] and six-party talks[[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Six-party_talks]] failed to denuclearize North Korea, since China and Russia did not fully cooperate. UN presents a bigger problem at dealing with global warming. The Stockholm (1972) and Rio (1992) Declaration were non-binding. Kyoto protocol was a joke, with all countries busy pursuing individual interests. China was exempted, and the US took it as a chance to back off.[[http://www.independent.co.uk/environment/climate-change/scientists-say-kyoto-protocol-is-outdated-failure-397801.html]] Copenhagen was frustration for everybody. It is evident that the UN is not only incapable of enforcing the ban but also pre-occupied—or should be pre-occupied—with more dire issues. The UN should not impose a ban that will undoubtedly fail. Mediocre attempts of enforcement will not only exhaust its capital, time, and endeavor which should be used for more urgent matters, but also devitalize its morale. It will further blemish the authority of UN that is already fragile in dealing with global warming.
Being the only realistic alternative to fossil fuel energy, expansion of the technology must be available through trade.

The very fact that nuclear energy is the only feasible alternative that can contribute a large bulk of the world’s demand makes its expansion imperative. In contrast to the affirmative’s “belief”, the opposition stresses that banning nuclear reactor technology strains the development and expansion of a critically important resource. While team affirmative contradicts itself by having stated strict standards impair development then suggesting nations should develop such technologies for themselves, team opposition recognizes that first, many nations do not have the power to develop the technology for themselves or to develop the technology fast enough to allow for a gradual and safe transition into alternative energy sources. Many developing nations must depend on the trade of such technologies for it to either be available to them or open possibilities of market entry the way economies such as South Korea have done with IT industries. In other words, trade allows for underdeveloped countries, where the technology is unavailable domestically, to access such technology. As for developing countries, a cheaper domestic alternative can be developed based on versions present in the market both dropping prices in the international market and increasing energy security, but as history shows, this only works as well as it can if the technology is readily available on the market. Secondly, team affirmative have introduced a counter argument regarding what we have disproved directly before. Again, we have stressed that alternative sources like solar or wind energy alone will not satisfy global energy demand. Even in the case that these technologies are developed enough in certain countries, they will be strictly geographically limited. Because of this inherent factor, such alternative energy sources will neither be universally applicable nor reliable. Therefore, such factors enforce the necessity of keeping nuclear technology available through trade.
Will indirectly lead to the spread of Nuclear Weapons

When the export of Nuclear Reactor technology takes place, it involves the transfer of nuclear technology pertaining to energy production. Even though the Non-Proliferation treaty restricts its signatories from employing this nuclear technology into the production of nuclear weapons, this is where the problem lies. When Nuclear reactor technology is exported to countries around the world, they can use that technology to manufacture nuclear weapons. Countries like Pakistan, India, North Korea and Israel are not signatories of the Non-proliferation treaty because they are involved in regional conflicts and it is essential for them to develop their nuclear weaponry just to gain political power and influence in the region. North Korea started its nuclear program in the 1950s with the assistance of the United States, the aim was to set up Nuclear Powered energy plants, but over the course of the last few decades, it has employed the same knowledge of nuclear systems to make nuclear weapons. Hence when we transfer Nuclear Reactor technology, we are providing more and more counties a chance to develop Nuclear weapons which can easily be manufactured from materials and supplies which are available to those countries which have Nuclear Power plants. When it comes to the sovereignty of a state, it will be willing to take all measures necessary to protect its self, and the export of Nuclear reactor technology will give more countries the opportunity to use it as a tool to develop nuclear weapons, just like in the case of North Korea which withdrew from the Non-Proliferation treaty did, despite of the pressure it faces from the international community for its nuclear weapons program.[[ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_Korea_and_weapons_of_mass_destruction#Nuclear_deterrence%5D%5D
Drastically increased threat of Nuclear terrorism

Regardless of what team opposition will have you believe, not only can governments employ the same technology and materials used in nuclear power generation to produce “dirty bombs”, this proliferation will also significantly increase the risk of terrorist organizations being able to take possession of such crude nuclear weapons because by exporting Nuclear reactor technology, such crude weapons will be made available to a large number of countries. Moreover, the nuclear power stations themselves are potential targets for terrorist attacks, such an attack could have catastrophic consequences[[http://www.psr.org/chapters/oregon/assets/pdfs/nuclear-power-and-the-terrorist-threat.pdf]]. By allowing the export of nuclear technology, such a threat will only be exacerbated because most developing countries will lack the recourses and expertise required to maintain satisfactory levels of security but if countries develop such technology in time, themselves, this will ensure that sufficient recourses and expertise are arranged/allocated which is something we as proposition strongly believe in. For terrorists, access to such installations (Nuclear power plants) is not as difficult as most might believe[[http://www.fas.org/irp/crs/RS21131.pdf]]. Pakistan came under intense pressure from the international community when a 17-hour siege of the country's most important naval head quarters raised questions about security of its nuclear program.[[ http://www.businessweek.com/news/2011-05-23/pakistani-commandos-end-taliban-siege-of-karachi-navy-air-base.html%5D%5D Such a breach of security at a nuclear power plant in any country would have disastrous consequences. Summing up, by supporting the export of Nuclear reactor technology we are actually allowing more developing countries to set up Nuclear power plants which they may not be able to secure adequately, hence not only threatening the well-being of people in the country but also the whole region.
Freedom and Sovereignty

It is misleading on the oppositions part to argue that the UN does not possess jurisdiction over matters relating to nuclear power , when under the NPT, 194 out of the UN's 198 members, have their nuclear installations placed under IAEA regulations and checks. Indeed there is complete agreement over the fact that the spread of nuclear technology does, as the opposition terms it, constitute a "clear threat to other nations" which is why under the NPT the use of civilian nuclear power is monopolized to only those countries who sign the NPT and comply with its regulations. And those 4 countries that refuse to sign the NPT and exercise the right to a civilian nuclear program as a domestic matter are subject to intense UN sanctions. Thus the opposition’s argument about how civilian nuclear power is a "domestic" matter is opposite to how the international community understands this matter and the UN's official position on it. Furthermore the NPT was created so that countries could develop civilian nuclear programs without the proliferation of nuclear weapons technology or know how, the NPT however, has failed to do this. North Korea's case is an excellent example whereby it imported nuclear technology from other countries under the NPT for a civilian nuclear withdrew from the NPT and became a declared nuclear weapon state. Moreover the oppositions own statistics say that 10 out of the 30 countries that have nuclear programs have developed nuclear weapons, up from the original 5 NPT nuclear weapons states, shows that the only 5 countries that had reason for the development of nuclear weapons were able to develop them.
Nuclear energy is a crucial alternative energy source that is too valuable to be restricted.

The issue of this debate is whether or not to ban the export of nuclear reactor technology, and team opposition clearly failed to recognize this. The issue is not about which alternative energy source is better in the long run. The burden of proof on the opposition is to show to us how banning the export of this technology will do more harm than good. At team proposition, we believe Nuclear energy has a wide scope for future development, but we also strongly believe in the allowing nuclear technology to grow in a responsible and sustainable manner. By banning its export we are allowing countries to develop this technology themselves in a much more sustainable and safer manner. At the same time, it is imperative that other alternatives to Fossil fuel powered plants must not be ignored. Countries that are unable to develop nuclear power systems themselves should progress towards other alternatives, solar, wind, geothermal and tidal power plants are much more safer than nuclear power plants when it comes to their maintenance in developing countries. Using other technologies is much cheaper and unlike Nuclear power plants in developing countries, they do not pose a threat to regional security. Again it is essential to clarify that we support development of Nuclear power plants by countries themselves but we strongly oppose the import and export of such sensitive systems. Hence as a responsible proposition we encourage the use of alternative energy sources in the greater good of the international community, purely as an alternative for countries who cannot develop such technology themselves.
Safety concerns

Taking necessary precautions is one thing; halting the transfer of a sustainable technology altogether for the fear of accidents is another. Today, nuclear power provides 16% of world’s electricity. Half the world’s people live in countries where new nuclear power reactors are in planning or under construction.[[http://www.pntl.co.uk/pdf/nuclear-energy-economy-henriquez.pdf]] Especially in the context of global warming and population explosion, it is almost an inevitability that the usage of this should expand. Not only has civil nuclear power improved in engineering and operational safety over its past 55 years of history with very few accidents, the major incidents mentioned by the Proposition—the only two that resulted in radiation exposure to the public—have proved as legacy, as in cars and airliners, to improve the original design[[http://www.world-nuclear.org/info/inf06.html]]. Such cases include advanced inherent or passive safety systems and provision to confine complications of fuel damage to the plant itself, which would have averted both accidents. The Chernobyl reactor’s design and safety features had apparent faults, which would never have been overlooked were it not in Soviet Union. The Fukushima incident also resulted from failure to update safety measures in old models. Man-made mistakes must not justify a senseless overreaction. Moreover, all EU and 7 non-EU countries with power plants agreed to conduct stress tests and undergo peer-review: another preventive step. Likewise, the IAEA is in the process of strengthening its mandates. Local organizations like World Association of Nuclear Operators conducts peer tests to improve safety as well. In the same vein, improper nuclear waste disposal infringes on international law. Italy’s case calls for stricter monitoring and is not an excuse for internationally banning exports of nuclear plant technology.
Response to rebuttal)Strawman fallacies

Having dealt with these issues earlier, team proposition finds itself responding to the same concerns put up by team opposition yet again. The burden of proof on team opposition is to prove to us that even though the transfer of nuclear reactor technology has its drawbacks, they are still outweighed by its benefits. Instead of doing so, they seem to be denying the very fact that the transfer of this technology will lead to the spread of nuclear weapons. As explained earlier, when it comes to the sovereignty of a state, it will employ all methods necessary to safe guard itself, even if it involves breaking international agreements by using materials from nuclear reactors to make (nuclear) “dirty bombs”. Instead of going into the chemistry of things, team opposition must realize this threat that exists, even under the status quo; countries are reluctant to supply such materials to countries which they deem “suspicious”. The threat of initiating a nuclear weapons program under cover by using supplies and knowledge from those used in nuclear power systems cannot be ignored. Even if a single country is able to make a nuclear weapon just because of this cover, it will impair the balance of power in the whole region and will lead to a nuclear arms race, having a domino effect as more and more countries will follow this path.