The 2024 Nobel Peace Prize is expected to reignite discussions around nuclear disarmament, emphasizing the devastating effects of nuclear weapons and the need for further steps toward their elimination. The destructive use of nuclear weapons and their catastrophic consequences on humanity should be highlighted through this award. In 1945, at the end of World War II, the United States dropped atomic bombs on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, killing hundreds of thousands of people, destroying entire cities, and leaving many others to suffer long-term effects of radiation. The survivors of these horrific attacks are known as “Hibakusha.” The 2024 Nobel Peace Prize honors the Nihon Hidankyo organization from Japan, which has been working for the welfare of Hibakusha, the survivors of these atomic bombings.
Today, the number of Hibakusha exceeds one million, with an average age of 86. These elderly survivors continue to endure the physical and mental scars of that tragic event. They have suffered from long-term illnesses, physical deformities, and the devastating effects of radiation. Additionally, in the decades following the bombings, governments worldwide largely ignored the plight of the Hibakusha. The United States even imposed restrictions on studying the health conditions of these survivors, hindering the full revelation of their suffering to the world.
Hidankyo has been advocating for the health and medical assistance of Hibakusha, striving to ensure they receive appropriate care and holding governments accountable. The organization has focused on raising awareness of the devastating impact of nuclear weapons on humanity and has actively promoted the goal of nuclear disarmament. Their slogan, “No More Hibakusha,” has gained global recognition, and their movement aims to achieve the complete eradication of nuclear weapons worldwide.
Hidankyo’s efforts are not limited to Japan. The organization has traveled across the globe, visiting various countries, including India, to spread their message and raise awareness about the dangers of nuclear weapons. As a result, the global necessity for nuclear disarmament has become increasingly prominent. Their activism has also influenced political and social thought in Japan, leading to the country’s adoption of a peace-based constitution after World War II, which emphasized anti-war policies and the avoidance of weaponry. Hidankyo has played a crucial role in instilling this pacifist philosophy in Japanese society.
Despite Hidankyo’s global influence in the movement to abolish nuclear weapons, many nations still rely on nuclear arsenals. Countries like Russia, China, the U.S., North Korea, and Israel have issued open threats concerning the use of nuclear weapons. Russia, for example, recently threatened to use nuclear weapons in its conflict with Ukraine, escalating international concerns.
Even with the existence of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, geopolitical dynamics have prevented serious efforts toward disarmament by several countries, fueling fears of nuclear proliferation. In this context, organizations like Hidankyo are crucial, as their campaigns help raise awareness of the dangers of nuclear weapons and inspire the world to shift toward anti-war ideologies. Hidankyo’s work serves as a reminder of the horrors of nuclear warfare, and their recognition through this award may foster new global discussions and opportunities to push for the complete elimination of nuclear weapons.
Nuclear disarmament is not only essential for global peace but also for the survival of humanity. It is believed that the tireless efforts of organizations like Hidankyo can help achieve this goal.
Additionally, the 2024 Nobel Prize in Literature has brought Korean literature to the global stage. This year’s honor was awarded to Korean poet and novelist Han Kang. The Swedish Academy praised her “intense emotional and poetic prose,” which reveals the fragility of human life and historical pain. In their announcement, the Academy highlighted her unique writing style, which powerfully portrays human tension and social injustices. Han Kang’s work delves into various subjects through her novels—human condition, the conflict between respect and compassion, and the sensitivity born of historical wounds. Her writing poses deep questions: why does human cruelty persist? Her stories are often simultaneously delicate and intensely painful. Through her writing, Han Kang explores the complexity of human emotions.
One of Han Kang’s most famous and celebrated works is the novel The Vegetarian. Published in 2007, this novel tells the story of a woman who decides to stop eating meat and aspires to become one with nature. This decision profoundly affects her life and the lives of her family. The novel depicts the struggles of a marital relationship, cultural expectations, and personal freedom. After its translation into English by Deborah Smith in 2015, The Vegetarian gained global recognition and won the International Booker Prize in 2016.
Born in 1970 in Gwangju, South Korea, Han Kang grew up in a family that nurtured her love for reading and writing. Her father was also a well-known novelist, which further encouraged her literary passion from an early age. After moving to Seoul, she studied Korean literature at university and eventually entered the world of writing. Although she initially explored art and music, she ultimately chose writing as the central focus of her life.
The White Book and Literary Experimentation Han Kang’s literary works go beyond traditional novels, blending prose with poetic style. Her novel The White Book (2016) exemplifies this, as it expresses her grief over her deceased sister through various white objects—snow, salt, fog, mother’s milk, and moon-shaped rice cakes. The White Book is seen as both a literary experiment and a deeply emotional exploration, where texture and sentiment take precedence over traditional plot structure.
Han Kang’s upcoming novel, We Do Not Part, set to be published in English next year, is based on the 1948 massacre on South Korea’s Jeju Island. The novel portrays the friendship between two women whose relationship endures despite the violence and oppression around them. Through this story, Han Kang reflects on the complexities of human relationships during tragic historical events.
Another significant work by Han Kang is Human Acts (2016), set against the backdrop of the student protests and government violence in South Korea during the 1980s. This novel tells the story of souls witnessing their own destruction, providing a glimpse into human struggle and political upheaval. The Swedish Academy’s selection of Han Kang acknowledges her experimental and thoughtful approach to literature. Through this award, her work’s intensity, the intricate depiction of human emotions, and her innovative literary style have gained global recognition. After the 2016 Nobel Prize in Literature was awarded to Bob Dylan, the Swedish Academy has seemingly returned to a more traditional literary path, with Han Kang’s selection reflecting this shift. Her writing has brought international recognition to Korean literature, further boosting its prominence on the world stage. Korean drama, cinema, and music are already globally popular, and now, thanks to Han Kang, Korean literature is also receiving equal global acclaim.
Finally, the 2024 Nobel Prize in Economics has highlighted the importance of institutional quality at a global level. Economists Daron Acemoglu, Simon Johnson, and James A. Robinson were awarded for their research showing that the quality of institutions is a key determinant of a nation’s economic success or failure. Their study revealed that countries with rule of law, secure property rights, and citizen freedom have achieved long-term economic progress. In contrast, countries with institutional corruption, centralized power, and limited political freedom have faced economic challenges and adverse outcomes.
Their research examined the colonial era’s influence on institutions in various countries. According to them, countries where proper institutions were established during colonialism saw economic progress, while those where institutions remained weak faced economic crises. For example, many African and Latin American countries fell behind after colonialism due to the poor quality of institutions, while countries that improved their institutional frameworks achieved better economic outcomes.
What are institutions? According to Acemoglu and his colleagues, institutions are social structures defined by laws, rules, and systems of human interaction. Institutions can include formal laws that protect citizens from government interference or implicit social rules that significantly shape daily life.
The progress of China and India serves as examples of how institutional changes can bring about economic revolutions. In the 1970s, China liberalized its economic policies, and in the 1990s, India followed suit, helping both nations gain significant global stature. By ensuring the rule of law, protecting property, and enhancing transparency, institutions have encouraged people to invest and save more.
On the flip side, their research also found that centralized power systems have hindered progress. When a small elite or specific group holds power and denies the rights of the general public, the quality of institutions deteriorates, directly impacting economic development.
Notably, this Nobel Prize comes at a time when democratic institutions are under threat worldwide. The rise of populist movements, dominant personalities in power, and short-term policies aimed at immediate public appeal have weakened democratic systems in many countries. ‘Inclusive’ institutions, which work for the welfare of the common people, can be adversely affected by such developments.
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It has also been observed that some institutions in liberal democracies have hindered economic growth due to short-term policies. When democratic institutions prioritize a few over the greater good, they pose a threat to democracy itself. For instance, the misuse of power or policies favoring specific groups within a democracy can be as harmful as in autocratic regimes.
The research by the 2024 Nobel laureates is vital in this context. They have demonstrated that a country’s long-term economic prosperity depends on the establishment of ‘inclusive’ and ‘excellent’ institutions, providing opportunities for all citizens and strengthening the nation’s economic resilience.
Vikas Parasram Meshram is a political commentator. [email protected]
