Difference between revisions of "Mutually assured destruction"
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| − | '''Mutually Assured Destruction''' 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 | ||
#Neither side could preemptively strike the other without assured and complete retaliation | #Neither side could preemptively strike the other without assured and complete retaliation | ||
#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. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==Stability vs. Instability== | ||
| + | |||
| + | MAD | ||
Revision as of 18:14, May 7, 2007
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 ultimately wished to survive
- Neither side could preemptively strike the other without assured and complete retaliation
- Therefore, neither side would initiate nuclear war
MAD was both reviled and praised during the Cold War. Game theorists spent much time debating various changes in policy and their effect on MAD.
Stability vs. Instability
MAD