Deterrence works because:

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Deterrence works by making the costs of war far larger than the potential benefits, which means that potential aggressors will be deterred from taking risky actions. The threat of retaliation or reprisals can also play a role in deterrence, but ultimately it is the perceived costs of war that are the main deterrent force. The other options (B, C, and D) are incorrect. While international institutions can help to support deterrence, they do not enforce it as a matter of policy. Second-strike capability (the ability to survive and retaliate after a nuclear attack) is often seen as a key element of deterrence, but it is not a requirement for deterrence to work in other contexts. Finally, deterrence does not rely on the irrationality of leaders, but rather their rational self-interest and strategic calculations.

Deterrence Works Because