Perfect Deterrence

An important and timely contribution to International Relations and political science, this is the first general analysis of deterrence since the end of the Cold War. Using non-cooperative game theory, the authors develop a new approach to deterrence (Perfect Deterrence Theory), which they apply to unilateral and mutual direct-deterrence relationships, and to extended-deterrence relationships supported by deployment policies such as Massive Retaliation and Flexible Response. The authors focus on the relationship among capabilities, preferences, credibility, and outcomes to achieve a new understanding of threats and responses. Some surprising conclusions emerge, indicating that credible threats to respond to attack can sometimes make an attack more likely, and that incredible response threats can sometimes promote peace. With the application of deterrence theory in diverse social settings, and historical examples from before, during, and after the Cold War, this book provides a welcome new examination of the subject.

Sommario

Part I. Theoretical Underpinnings: 1. Classical deterrence theory; 2. Rationality and deterrence; 3. Credibility: the magic ingredient of deterrence; Part II. Direct Deterrence: 4. Uncertainty and mutual deterrence; 5. Unilateral deterrence; Part III. Extended Deterrence: 6. Extended deterrence; 7. Modeling massive retaliation; 8. Modeling flexible response; 9. Crisis, escalation, and limited war; Part IV. Implications: 10. Perfect deterrence theory.

Riassunto

This book provides the first general analysis of deterrence since the end of the Cold War, offering a new approach to its assumptions, and analyzing them using game theory. Drawing on numerous historical examples, the authors' analysis provides a new understanding of threats and responses, and yields some surprising conclusions.

Dettagli sul prodotto

• Autori: Zagare Frank C., D. Marc Kilgour, Kilgour D. Marc, Frank C. Zagare, Zagare Frank C.
• Editore: Cambridge Academic
• Lingue: Inglese
• Formato: Copertina rigida
• Pubblicazione: 21.09.2000
• EAN: 9780521781749
• ISBN: 978-0-521-78174-9
• Dimensioni: 160 mm x 236 mm x 34 mm
• Peso: 806 g
• Illustrazioni: 38 b/w illus. 15 tables, Zeichnungen, nicht spezifiziert, Tabellen, nicht spezifiziert
• Serie: Cambridge Studies in Internati; Cambridge Studies in International Relations
• Categorie: Scienze sociali, diritto, economia > Scienze politiche > Scienze politiche e cittadinanza attiva; HISTORY / Military / General, POLITICAL SCIENCE / International Relations / General, International Relations, Warfare & defence, Warfare and defence