Ingredients of deterrence. Student paper
The purpose of this study is to determine what ingredients are required for a successful strategy of deterrence, evaluate the necessity of nuclear weapons for a deterrent strategy and examine the relationship between deterrence and the absence of East-West open hostilities. Since the development of nuclear weapons, much has been written about the use of deterrence to influence the actions of other states, and today it is said to be the cornerstone of our strategic nuclear policy. Information was gathered by reviewing existing literature on the subject. The focus of the study was to identify what elements are necessary for a theoretical strategy of deterrence and then consider the necessity of nuclear weapons to the use of a deterrent strategy today and determine if deterrence is responsible for the absence of open hostilities between the U.S. and the U.S.S.R. The study identified nineteen essential ingredients, grouped into five categories, and concluded that nuclear weapons are required for a U.S. strategy of deterrence today. The study concluded that there is insufficient information to prove that deterrence is responsible for the absence of conflict, but that it is reasonable to assume that deterrence has at least been a factor in preserving peace.
- Research Organization:
- Army War Coll., Carlisle Barracks, PA (USA)
- OSTI ID:
- 6445967
- Report Number(s):
- AD-A-158598/3/XAB
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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