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'''Mutually Assured Destruction''' ('''MAD''', also known as '''Assured Destruction''', '''AD''') was one of the primary [[Cold War]] strategies of the United States and [[Soviet Union]].  The basic premise was:

'''Mutually Assured Destruction''' (or MAD) was one of the primary [[Cold War]] strategies of the United States and [[Soviet Union]].  The basic premise was:

#Both sides had the capacity to destroy the other completely

#Both sides had the capacity to destroy the other completely

#Both sides ultimately wished to survive

#Both sides ultimately wished to survive

#Therefore, neither side would initiate nuclear war

#Therefore, neither side would initiate nuclear war

MAD was both reviled and praised during the Cold War.  [[Game Theory|Game theorists]] spent much time debating various changes in policy and their effect on MAD.  In the academic formulation, when MAD is in effect, cooperation became a [[dominant strategy]] in the [[prisoner's dilemma]] because defection would not lead to any discernible benefit.

MAD was both reviled and praised during the Cold War.  [[Game Theory|Game theorists]] spent much time debating various changes in policy and their effect on MAD.  In the academic formulation, when M.A.D. is in effect, cooperation became a dominant strategy in the [[Prisoner's dilemma]] so long as defection would not lead to any discernible benefit.

As a general rule, a 400 megaton supply of nuclear warheads is sufficient to assure the destruction of large nation, so in calculating nuclear stockpiles to determine if the conditions for MAD exist, the goal is to see if you can eliminate the opposition's stockpile in a [[first strike]] to below 400 megatons.  If you can, then, in the grim calculus of nuclear war, first strike becomes an option. However, this can vary greatly depending on the size and infrastructure of the nation, the overseas distribution of their nuclear capabilities, etc.

As a general rule, a 400 megaton supply of nuclear warheads is sufficient to assure the destruction of large nation, so in calculating nuclear stockpiles to determine if "M.A.D." exists, the goal is to see if you can eliminate the opposition's stockpile in a first strike to below 400 megatons.  If you can, then, in the grim calculus of nuclear war, first strike becomes an option.

==Stability vs. Instability==

==Stability vs. Instability==

Failures of the basic premeses of MAD had the potential to destabilize the balance between the US and USSR, possibly igniting nuclear conflict.  Therefore, much time and energy went into debating even small changes in policy.

Alterations in the basic premeses of MAD had the potential to destabilize the balance between the US and USSR, possibly igniting nuclear conflict.  Therefore, much time and energy went into debating even small changes in policy.

Anti-Ballistic Missile systems (ABMs) are systems or weapons designed to intercept and destroy incoming weapons systems, usually [[intercontinental ballistic missile]]s (ICBMs).  Since this could theoretically prevent a fatal retaliatory strike from an opponent, ABMs are considered inherently destabilizing.  This fact lead to the [[Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty]], which allowed both sides limited deployment of ABM systems.  The [[Strategic Defense Initiative]] (SDI), which began development under [[Ronald Reagan|Ronald Reagan's]] administration despite existance of the ABM treaty, was thought by some groups, especially the [[Union of Concerned Scientists]], to represent a destabilization of MAD. Current American governmental policy sees this treaty as having become irrelevant with the demise of the USSR.

Anti-Ballistic Missile systems (ABMs) are weapons systems designed to intercept and destroy incoming weapons systems, usually Inter-Continental Ballistic Missiles (ICBMs).  Since this could theoretically prevent a fatal retaliatory strike from an opponent, ABMs are considered inherently destabilizing.  This fact lead to the ABM treaty, which allowed both sides limited deployment of ABM systems.  Current American governmental policy sees this treaty as having become irrelevant with the demise of the USSR.

First strike systems are those which either preserve a fatal second strike component, or entail independent & undetectable first strike systems.  '''SLBMs'''', or [[submarine launched ballistic missile]]s, are one type of first strike system employed heavily by the United States.  The USSR, employed '''RLBMs''', or rail-mounted ballistic missiles, which is to say that the USSR would use their massive railway system to furtively move and conceal a potent first strike or deterrent system.

 

===First Strike Capabilities===

"First Strike" systems are those which either preserve a fatal second strike component, or entail independent & undetectable first strike systems.  '''"SLBMs"'''', or submarine-launched ballistic missiles, are one time of first strike system employed heavily by the United States.  The USSR, in the Cold War, employed '''"RLBMs"''', or rail-mounted ballistic missiles, which is to say that the USSR would use their massive railway system to furtively move and conceal a potent first strike or deterrent system.

==Destabilization Events==

==Destabilization Events==

*[[Cuban Missile Crisis]]

*Cuban Missile Crisis

==Cultural Influences==

==Cultural Influences==

The cultural influences of MAD were pervasive, down to the acronym itself.

The cultural influences of MAD were pervasive, down to the acronym itself.