Deterrence and Detente.

Abstract

An emphasis of deterrence during detente is inevitable because of mutual suspicions. The structure and strategy of a deterrent is logically interdependent with detente. Policies of 'rational-irrationality'--commitments to defend areas of little interest in order to support deterrence in areas of great interest--can dissipate detente or even encourage wars. The paper's thesis is that deterrence is defined too narrowly--in military terms--when incentives as well as threats to shape an adversary's choices.

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jul 30, 1975
Accession Number
ADA013979

Entities

People

  • John F. Scott

Organizations

  • United States Army War College

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Deterrence
  • Motivation

Fields of Study

  • Political science

Readers

  • Strategic Security Studies