deterrence
Prevention through intimidation
Deterrence is the act of discouraging action through fear of consequences.
Nuclear deterrence prevents attack by threatening devastating retaliation.
The concept assumes rational actors who weigh costs against benefits: The death penalty's value as deterrence remains debated.
Deterrence works by making the potential cost of action outweigh any possible gain.
Loss of confidence
- dissuasionConvincing someone not to
- restraintControl over impulses
- checkOrder to pay
- curbRaised road margin
brake · obstacle · hindrance · inhibitor · impediment · disincentive · countermeasure · preventive
Deliberate fear-inducing pressure
- coercionPressured compliance through threats
- warningAlert about danger
- ultimatumNon-negotiable final terms
- menaceSource of potential harm
pressure · show of strength · saber-rattling · demonstration · signaling · posturing · bluff · credible threat
Preventing hostile expansion
- brinkmanshipPushing conflicts to disaster's threshold
- mutual assured destructionReciprocal annihilation prevents war
- MADMutual annihilation doctrine
- balance of powerEqual distribution of influence
nonproliferation · second strike · tripwire · credible threat · proportional response · massive retaliation · nuclear umbrella · red lines
Protection against harm
- armed forcesNation's combined military services
- show of forceIntimidating display of power
- military presenceForces stationed in area
- sanctionsPunitive international restrictions
blockade · embargo · alliance · NATO · mobilization · readiness · preemption · retaliation
Munition's explosive section
- ICBMOcean-spanning nuclear delivery system
- missileSelf-guided airborne weapon
- proliferationRapid increase in quantity
- enrichmentImprovement through addition
uranium · plutonium · fallout · arsenal · stockpile · silo · first strike · counterforce
Imposing legal punishment
- incarcerationConfinement in jail
- punishmentPenalty for an offense
- penaltyPunishment for wrongdoing
- prisonConfinement for offenders
conviction · prosecution · enforcement · justice system · three strikes · mandatory minimum · capital punishment · death penalty
discouragement
Loss of confidence
- dissuasionConvincing someone not to
- restraintControl over impulses
- checkOrder to pay
curb · brake · obstacle · hindrance · inhibitor · impediment · disincentive · countermeasure · preventive · barrier
intimidation
Deliberate fear-inducing pressure
- coercionPressured compliance through threats
- warningAlert about danger
- ultimatumNon-negotiable final terms
menace · pressure · show of strength · saber-rattling · demonstration · signaling · posturing · bluff · credible threat · consequences
containment
Preventing hostile expansion
- brinkmanshipPushing conflicts to disaster's threshold
- mutual assured destructionReciprocal annihilation prevents war
- MADMutual annihilation doctrine
balance of power · nonproliferation · second strike · tripwire · credible threat · proportional response · massive retaliation · nuclear umbrella · red lines
defense
Protection against harm
- armed forcesNation's combined military services
- show of forceIntimidating display of power
- military presenceForces stationed in area
sanctions · blockade · embargo · alliance · NATO · mobilization · readiness · preemption · retaliation · firepower
warhead
Munition's explosive section
- ICBMOcean-spanning nuclear delivery system
- missileSelf-guided airborne weapon
- proliferationRapid increase in quantity
enrichment · uranium · plutonium · fallout · arsenal · stockpile · silo · first strike · counterforce · triad
sentencing
Imposing legal punishment
- incarcerationConfinement in jail
- punishmentPenalty for an offense
- penaltyPunishment for wrongdoing
prison · conviction · prosecution · enforcement · justice system · three strikes · mandatory minimum · capital punishment · death penalty · severity
- Navyadmiral, battleship, destroyer, aircraft carrier, cruiser
- conflict responsesavoidance, confrontation, compromise, accommodation, aggression
- Defense Strategiesfortification, retreat, counterattack, blockade, shields
- defenseswall, walls, fence, gate, barrier
- intimidationthreats, threatening, menacing, intimidate, bullying
- patrolpatrol officer, foot patrol, patrol car, patrol route, routine patrol
deterrenceencouragement
Support spurring continued effort
incentivization · motivation · inducement · enticement · incitement
deterrenceaggression
Hostile or attacking behavior
provocation · appeasement · invitation · engagement · preemptive strike
deterrenceappeasement
Satisfying demands to prevent conflict
conciliation · détente · rapprochement · disarmament · reassurance
- nuclear deterrentArms discouraging aggression
- nuclear deterrencePreventing war through retaliation threat
- deterrent effectDiscouragement through threatened consequences