Of course there is some good. A cold war could prompt a race towards things such as fighting poverty and other issues because during a cold each nation involved in it will seek to prove themselves the better by tackling such things because to resort to actual war would be too destructive. I think the thing mentioned most in the first cold war that stalled both Russia and the US's hand was "weapons of mass destruction". If another cold war were to break out (which in a small way already has) all major nations involved would have the same thing keeping them from resulting to actual war and so they vent out their "superiority" over one another through productive methods, such as the space race and advancements in medicine and technology. Where do you think a lot of the "conveniences", "innovations", and "medical miracles" you enjoy now came from? When our nations are unable to take up arms out of fear of "mass destruction" they redirect that energy and frustration into areas where a lot of good comes out. When there is no threat, we become lax and so advancements grow to a crawl... which is where we are now. Plus there is another, more subtle plus... the economy for each nation grows better. Have you ever noticed, except in a few countries, during times of war (whether "hot" or "cold") their economy receives a pretty good boost? I don't know about where you are at, but here in the US.... we seriously need it.
