Abstract
Deterrence is an immensely controversial subject. Fierce debates exist not only between those who think deterrence is a useful policy and those who think it too dangerous, but also amongst its supporters as to how best to bring theory and practice into harmony. In this chapter four areas of debate will be examined. Are deterrence and defence opposites or complements? Is the assumption of rationality a weakness or a strength of deterrence logic? Is deterrence ethically unsound? And does the pursuit of deterrence lead to arms racing? The purpose is to clarify positions and definitions rather than to argue for resolutions.
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© 1987 International Institute for Strategic Studies
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Buzan, B. (1987). The Debates about Deterrence. In: An Introduction to Strategic Studies. International Institute for Strategic Studies Conference Papers. Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-349-18796-6_13
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-349-18796-6_13
Publisher Name: Palgrave Macmillan, London
Print ISBN: 978-0-333-36506-9
Online ISBN: 978-1-349-18796-6
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