Nuclear Deterrence: More Nukes for Stable Peace?

Maneesha Tripathi¹

¹Ph.D. Scholar, Department of Political Science, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi

Abstract

Nuclear deterrence is sometimes treated as a known quantity-a definite thing that keeps us safe and ensures our security. It has also often been used as a justification for possessing nuclear weapons. It was widely believed that nuclear weapons were an important factor in maintaining the “long peace” between the United States and the Soviet Union during the Cold War. India had sighted it’s not so friendly neighbour China as a reason for its nuclearisation. While Pakistan in turn sighted threat from India for going nuclear.

Is nuclear deterrence oblique encouragement for nuclear proliferation?

Moreover, deterrence in the twenty-first century may be far more difficult than it was in the past, and having the right mix of nuclear capabilities to deal with the new challenges will be crucial. New nuclear powers, characteristics of rivalry, are considered unlikely to maintain stable deterrence.

This paper attempts to address the question that has nuclear deterrence theory led to more nuclearisation. And whether it is actually relevant in maintaining stability especially in contemporary scenario?

Keywords: Nuclearisation; Deterrence; Proliferation; Stability; Peace; Nuclear Powers