Topic: Trade in High-Tech Weapons Systems
Country: Finland
Delegate Name: Vic Simmons
School: Vicksburg High School
Topic page: background guide and all position papers All Finland position papers GLIMUN 2016 committees
The Parliamentary Republic of Finland is not,nor has ever been, a major economic or military power. Finland has maintained a relatively undisturbed and peaceful existence since its secession from the Soviet Union in 1918. Because of Finland’s placid stance in militaristic affairs, high-tech weapons systems threaten the peace of its citizens. While some states may argue that weapons allow for heightened security and protection, the reality is that major world powers often supplement their economies via weapons trading. This in turn, offers more advantages to the major powers and further strengthens them, while minor states are left with a smaller economy and few weapons.
In a time when tensions run high based on political and economic positions, it is more important that even to ensure equal standing of all states. This includes both that of economic power, and military influence. Many nations are able to obtain high-tech weapons of warfare from less developed countries, thus boosting both economies. The trouble, however, comes when a less developed nation begins to manufacture weapons illegally in order to sustain their economic growth. While this is not a usual occurrence, crime rates have spiked in nations where there is a large production and commerce system based around high-tech weaponry. Furthermore, the UN has already taken steps to phase out autonomous and high-tech weapons. In order to maintain global peace, the UN must strive to keep high-tech weapons out of the hands of ill-intentioned states and aim to discourage the trading of and capitalization on said weapons.
