Rationality, Culture and Deterrence / September 2013
Abstract
Deterrence strategies involve trying to influence the decision-making of another actor.
Because of this, efforts to determine whether to employ a strategy of deterrence or how to
implement such a strategy require attempting to forecast what things will influence the other
actor and how that influence will be exerted. There are several models or frameworks
available that could assist with efforts to anticipate how another actor will be influenced. In
practice, the most prominent public debates related to deterrence in the United States have
tended to reflect two main approaches. People tend to assume either that the other side will
behave like a rational actor or that it will be driven by a unique strategic culture. While both
approaches have merit, extensive critiques have revealed that both also have significant
limitations.
Description
The views expressed herein are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official
policy or position of the Naval Postgraduate School, the Defense Threat Reduction Agency,
the Department of Defense, or the United States Government.
Collections
Related items
Showing items related by title, author, creator and subject.
-
Deterrence and the United States Coast Guard: enhancing current practice with performance measures
Palin, Philip; Hall, Steven; Lewis, Ted; Baldwin, Craig (2012-03); UDI# 1181Deterrence displaces or delays unwanted behavior. More ambitiously, deterrence aims to permanently discourage an individual or individuals from such behavior. It operates through the prospect of pain or pleasure. Fear ... -
DETERRING NON-STATE ACTORS: APPROACHES TO DETER THE POPULAR MOBILIZATION FORCES (PMF) IN IRAQ
Aldowsary, Nasser M. (Monterey, CA; Naval Postgraduate School, 2022-09);Since its creation in 2014, the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) has played a critical role in Iraq’s political, security, and social environments. Working concurrently with the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) ... -
A Strategic Response to Terrorism A Framework for U.S. Policy; Strategic Insight: v.2, issue 2 (February 2003)
Smith, James M. (Monterey, California. Naval Postgraduate School, 2003-02);Deterrence by denial is the ultimate objective of the terrorism response framework. Although most counter-terror strategies begin with deterrence, their aim is to prevent an attack, not to deter the terrorist strategy. ...