POLB80H3 Lecture Notes - Security Dilemma, Arms Control
15 Oct 2012
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The united states and soviet union never directly fought. Nuclear deterrents were involved: neither side wanted to risk attacking the other. If they did, they would risk being destroyed. This is why the cold war was cold. For deterrence to work, both sides must be vulnerable. Arms control was a very sticky subject during the cold war. A change in powers normally occurs through wars This conflict was built on a continuing mistrust and tension between the two superpowers. When one side stops acting as a rival, it alters the dunamic of the relationship. There were other dynamics at work that contributed to these changes in the relationship. The cold war virtually shut down inter-state wars because of the assured destruction that would come with any sort of conflict. These answers shape the perspective on how world politics work. The states (ideally have a monopoly on force, etc. )
