GOV 312L Lecture Notes - Lecture 16: Thomas Schelling, Missile Defense Systems By Country
Document Summary
Module 16: nuclear weapons and us foreign policy ii. Stability of mutual deterrence depends on credibility of threats- adversary must believe that threats will be carried out. Reasons for an adversary to question nuclear deterrence threats. If nuclear attack is launched, it leads to incentives to change (launching a nuclear retaliatory strike) Dilemmas of extended deterrence-using nuclear deterrence to defend allies against attack. Us threatened the soviet union with nuclear retaliation if it attacked west. Would the us have really followed through and sacrificed us cities if. To have a credible nuclear deterrent, you have to demonstrate the military capacity to carry out your threats. States enhance capabilities by improving their weapons systems. Example: recent north korean nuclear and missile tests. They have significantly improved its capacity to hit the mainland us with nuclear weapons. States enhance their resolve by taking risky actions short of actually initiating conflict during crises. Threat that leaves something to chance - thomas schelling.
