Deterrence theory - Revision history

RobSmith at 18:37, June 5, 2025

2025-06-05T18:37:33Z

RobSmith at 18:36, June 5, 2025

2025-06-05T18:36:05Z

RobSmith: /* References */

2024-07-06T03:17:33Z

References

DavidB4-bot: clean up

2016-06-27T04:40:21Z

clean up

TheAmericanRedoubt at 23:45, January 20, 2015

2015-01-20T23:45:30Z

TheAmericanRedoubt at 11:43, December 28, 2014

2014-12-28T11:43:33Z

TheAmericanRedoubt at 10:34, December 28, 2014

2014-12-28T10:34:18Z

TheAmericanRedoubt at 10:30, December 28, 2014

2014-12-28T10:30:09Z

TheAmericanRedoubt at 10:29, December 28, 2014

2014-12-28T10:29:43Z

TheAmericanRedoubt at 10:28, December 28, 2014

2014-12-28T10:28:18Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:37, June 5, 2025
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−	'''Deterrence theory''' is a [[nuclear weapon]] utilization strategy first used during [[Cold War I]]. It was derived from the basis that it is all but impossible to physically protect a country from a large-scale nuclear attack; it is much more effective to prevent the attack entirely. Deterrence theory relies on the assumption that decision-makers are rational actors.<ref>https://archive.is/BfZnU</ref> Deterrence theory uses a country's nuclear arsenal to deter ~~an enemy~~ from attacking.	+	'''Deterrence theory''' is a [[nuclear weapon]] utilization strategy first used during [[Cold War I]]. It was derived from the basis that it is all but impossible to physically protect a country from a large-scale nuclear attack; it is much more effective to prevent the attack entirely. Deterrence theory relies on the assumption that decision-makers are rational actors.<ref>https://archive.is/BfZnU</ref> Deterrence theory uses a country's own nuclear arsenal to deter another country from attacking.

	==Assumptions==		==Assumptions==

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:36, June 5, 2025
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−	'''Deterrence theory''' is a [[nuclear weapon]] utilization strategy first used during ~~the~~ [[Cold War]]. It was derived from the basis that it is all but impossible to physically protect a country from a large-scale nuclear attack; it is much more effective to prevent the attack entirely. Deterrence theory uses a country's nuclear arsenal to deter an enemy from attacking.	+	'''Deterrence theory''' is a [[nuclear weapon]] utilization strategy first used during [[Cold War I]]. It was derived from the basis that it is all but impossible to physically protect a country from a large-scale nuclear attack; it is much more effective to prevent the attack entirely. Deterrence theory relies on the assumption that decision-makers are rational actors.<ref>https://archive.is/BfZnU</ref> Deterrence theory uses a country's nuclear arsenal to deter an enemy from attacking.

	==Assumptions==		==Assumptions==

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 [[Category:Military History]]
 [[Category:Military]]
-[[Category:Diplomacy]]
+[[Category:International Relations]]
 [[Category:Political Science]]
 [[Category:Political Theory]]

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-==See Also==
+==See also==
 * [[Second Amendment]] [[unalienable rights]] movement as Deterrence against [[Tyranny]]
 * [[Mutually assured destruction]]
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 [[Category:Military History]]
 [[Category:Military]]
-[[category:Diplomacy]]
+[[Category:Diplomacy]]
-[[category:Political Science]]
+[[Category:Political Science]]
-[[category:Political Theory]]
+[[Category:Political Theory]]
-[[category:Cold War]]
+[[Category:Cold War]]
 [[Category:Military Strategies and Concepts]]
 [[Category:Second Amendment]]

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 * [[First strike]]
 * [[List of military strategies and concepts]]
 ==References==

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 ==Deterrence Theory as Envisioned by the Founding Fathers Against a Future Tyrannical Government==
-Among the [[Founding Fathers]], [[American]] [[conservative]]s, [[libertarian]]s and [[veteran]]s, [[patriot]]s, [[prepper]]s and [[gun enthusiast]]s the [[unalienable rights]] of the [[Second Amendment]] act as the primary [[deterrence]] against [[big government]] [[Nanny state]]-[[Police state]] [[tyranny]]. Thus the slogan of [[Molon labe]] laconically represents that deterrence.
+To the [[Founding Fathers]] such as [[Thomas Jefferson]], [[American]] [[conservative]]s, [[libertarian]]s, [[veteran]]s, [[patriot]]s, [[prepper]]s and [[gun enthusiast]]s and from a [[Bill of Rights]] perspective, the [[unalienable rights]] of the [[Second Amendment]] act as the primary deterrence against [[big government]] [[Nanny state]]-[[Police state]] [[tyranny]].<ref>[[Massad Ayoob]], "Armed citizens: the deterrent factor", [[Backwoods Home Magazine]], Website Exclusive January/February, 2001. http://www.backwoodshome.com/articles2/ayoob0109.html Accessed December 28, 2014</ref> Thus the slogan of [[Molon labe]] laconically represents that deterrence.
 ==See Also==

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 # Annihilation for ''any'' transgression is not credible. If the threat of attack is no longer credible, AD deterrence breaks down.
-There are also other destabilizing factors unrelated to which method is used. For example, [[rogue state]]s and [[terrorist]] organizations are not limited to being rational actors, so deterrence theory breaks down against these groups. [[Missile defense]] systems also destabilize deterrence, because they remove the fear of retaliation; which could lead to a possibility of a [[first strike]] attack for a small provocation. Multiple independently targetable reentry vehicle missiles (MIRVed missiles) are also destabilizing, because they make it difficult for an actor to calculate the capability of his opponent.
+There are also other destabilizing factors unrelated to which method is used. For example, [[rogue state]]s and [[terrorist]] organizations are not limited to being rational actors, so deterrence theory breaks down against these groups. [[Missile]] [[defense]] systems also destabilize deterrence, because they remove the fear of retaliation; which could lead to a possibility of a [[first strike]] attack for a small provocation. Multiple independently targetable reentry vehicle missiles (MIRVed missiles) are also destabilizing, because they make it difficult for an actor to calculate the capability of his opponent.
 Among the [[Founding Fathers]], [[American]] [[conservative]]s, [[libertarian]]s and [[veteran]]s, [[patriot]]s, [[prepper]]s and [[gun enthusiast]]s the [[unalienable rights]] of the [[Second Amendment]] act as the primary deterrence against [[big government]] [[Nanny state]]-[[Police state]] [[tyranny]]. Thus the slogan of [[Molon labe]] laconically represents that deterrence.

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-'''Deterrence theory''' is a [[nuclear weapon]] utilization strategy first used during the [[Cold War]]. It was derived from the basis that it is all but impossible to physically protect a country from a large-scale nuclear attack; it is much more effective to prevent the attact entirely. Deterrence theory uses a country's nuclear arsenal to deter an enemy from attacking.
+'''Deterrence theory''' is a [[nuclear weapon]] utilization strategy first used during the [[Cold War]]. It was derived from the basis that it is all but impossible to physically protect a country from a large-scale nuclear attack; it is much more effective to prevent the attack entirely. Deterrence theory uses a country's nuclear arsenal to deter an enemy from attacking.
 ==Assumptions==
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 There are two general modes of deterrence: [[assured destruction]] (AD) and [[damage limitation]] (DL).
-The assured destruction mode of deterrence is where each actor says they will completely destroy the other if attacked. In this mode, nuclear weapons are only used for deterrence, and their use will escalate into total ruination of both actors. AD attacks are aimed at [[countervalue]] targets, such as population centers and places of government. Targetting these places will ensure that as many people are killed as possible, thus reducing the will and capacity to attack again.
+The assured destruction mode of deterrence is where each actor says they will completely destroy the other if attacked. In this mode, nuclear weapons are only used for deterrence, and their use will escalate into total ruination of both actors. AD attacks are aimed at [[countervalue]] targets, such as population centers and places of government. Targeting these places will ensure that as many people are killed as possible, thus reducing the will and capacity to attack again.
 The damage limitation mode of deterrence is where both actors target their opponents nuclear and conventional weapons capability ([[counterforce]] targeting). An attack under this mode will not result in the total destruction of either or both sides, rather it will result in [[limited nuclear warfare]].
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 # Annihilation for ''any'' transgression is not credible. If the threat of attack is no longer credible, AD deterrence breaks down.
-There are also other destabilizing factors unrelated to which method is used. For example, [[rogue state]]s and [[terrorist]] organizations are not limited to being rational actors, so deterrence theory breaks down against these groups. [[Missile defence]] systems also destabalize deterrence, because they remove the fear of retaliation; which could lead to a possibility of a [[first strike]] attack for a small provocation. Multiple independently targetable reentry vehicle missiles (MIRVed missiles) are also destabalizing, because they make it difficult for an actor to calculate the capability of his opponent.
+There are also other destabilizing factors unrelated to which method is used. For example, [[rogue state]]s and [[terrorist]] organizations are not limited to being rational actors, so deterrence theory breaks down against these groups. [[Missile defence]] systems also destabilize deterrence, because they remove the fear of retaliation; which could lead to a possibility of a [[first strike]] attack for a small provocation. Multiple independently targetable reentry vehicle missiles (MIRVed missiles) are also destabilizing, because they make it difficult for an actor to calculate the capability of his opponent.
 ==See Also==
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 * [[Mutually assured destruction]]
 * [[List of military strategies and concepts]]
 [[category:Diplomacy]]
 [[category:Political Science]]
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 [[category:Cold War]]
 [[Category:Military Strategies and Concepts]]