Democracy and deterrence

Book · Fri Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1988

OSTI ID:5959537

Bobbitt, P

This book offers a different characterization of nuclear deterrence. Those models of nuclear deterrence arose from the strategic possibilities presented by air power while this book rejects the thesis, implicit in both ideologies, that modern nuclear strategy must be a perpetuation of the strategic bombing program that dominated the Second World War. The description of nuclear strategy is connected to the familiar distinction between central and extended deterrence. It is notorious that the debate about nuclear strategy has become detached from the precise political objectives that various strategies are supposed to serve. Any real contribution to analysis must renew this connection and thereby expose the strategic commitments and assumptions made. The author describes nuclear strategy as driven by developments in vulnerability which led to crises in extended deterrence although the relationship of central deterrence remained stable.

• OSTI ID: 5959537
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
290600* -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Nuclear Energy
ABSTRACTS
DOCUMENT TYPES
FORECASTING
HISTORICAL ASPECTS
INSTITUTIONAL FACTORS
LEADING ABSTRACT
NATIONAL SECURITY
NUCLEAR DETERRENCE
NUCLEAR WEAPONS
PLANNING
POLITICAL ASPECTS
REVIEWS
SECURITY
WEAPONS