Publication

This report looks at different approaches to studying deterrence strategy. After discussing the strengths and weaknesses of the traditional frameworks, the author examines how social constructivism, domestic politics, and psychology can help anticipate how those on the receiving end of deterrent threats will be influenced. He argues that the use of multiple perspectives rather than relying on just a single framework should reduce the chances of overlooking a critical flaw in deterrence planning and therefore improve the US ability to craft effective deterrent strategies.