Lecture 2 Use of Force 1

Nuclear Arms Race

Competition between nations to develop and stockpile nuclear weapons, such as the US-Soviet arms race during the Cold War.

Functions of Weapons

Four main categories - defense, deterrence, compellence, and swaggering/prestige - that encompass the use of force in international relations.

Defense

Protecting a country's territory from foreign enemies, a fundamental function of weapons and military power in ensuring national security.

Territory Defense

The ability to protect one's land or region from external threats by using various means, including weapons and security measures.

Ballistic Missile Defense

A complex system designed to detect, track, and intercept incoming ballistic missiles before they reach their targets, typically involving the use of advanced technology and weaponry.

Deterrence

A strategy in national security aimed at preventing an adversary from taking hostile actions by issuing credible threats of retaliation or consequences for such actions.

Rationality

The assumption that decision-makers, such as leaders of nations, act in a logical and calculated manner to achieve their goals, considering the costs and benefits of their actions.

Compellence

A concept in international relations that involves influencing an adversary's behavior through threats or actions to compel them to change their course of action or policies.

Rationality

The concept of rationality involves making decisions based on cost-benefit analysis, as seen in rational choice theory.

Cost-benefit analysis

The process of evaluating the costs and benefits of each option when making decisions to find the most advantageous choice.

Rational choice theory

A theory suggesting that decisions are made rationally by calculating the costs and benefits of each option to achieve a goal.

Deterrence

The strategy of preventing undesirable actions by increasing the perceived costs to the opponent through threats.

Credible threat

A threat that is believable and likely to be carried out, enhancing the effectiveness of deterrence.

Communication

The act of clearly conveying threats or intentions to ensure they are understood and taken seriously in the context of deterrence strategies.

Atomic Bomb

A weapon used during World War II, dropped on Hiroshima, leading to Japan's surrender.

Coalition Government

An attempt by Nationalists and Communists in China to form a joint ruling body, which ultimately failed.

People's Republic of China

Declared on October 1, 1949, by the Communists after winning the civil war against the Nationalists.

Taiwan Strait

The body of water separating mainland China from Taiwan, where the Nationalists fled and established their government in exile.

Strategic Ambiguity

U.S. policy regarding Taiwan, not explicitly stating defense but selling weapons to Taiwan for defense.

Deterrence by Punishment

A concept where the threat of punishment deters an action, like nuclear deterrence during the Cold War.

Deterrence by Denial

A strategy where the assurance of failure deters an action, such as deploying troops to prevent invasion.

Extended Deterrence

U.S. policy during the Cold War to defend not only itself but also allied countries with nuclear weapons.

Extended Deterrent

The concept of increasing threat and cost to deter potential adversaries, such as the US placing missiles in Europe to signal readiness to use nuclear weapons.

Bounded Rationality

The idea that decision-makers, despite aiming to be rational, have limitations in knowledge, time, and cognitive abilities that affect their decision-making process.

Satisficing

Making decisions based on the best available information and within time constraints, even if the choice is suboptimal due to imperfect information and limited time.

Irrationality

Considering the possibility of leaders or individuals acting irrationally, impacting the effectiveness of deterrence strategies, as seen in the case of suicide bombers.

Failure of Deterrence

When deterrence strategies do not prevent the undesired action, leading to the need to carry out threats to enhance credibility for future deterrence efforts.