What is the term used in international politics when both sides/countries/superpowers have the capacity to retaliate against an attack and to cause so much destruction that neither can afford to initiate war?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
This is called the logic of ‘deterrence’: both sides have the capacity to retaliate against an attack and to cause so much destruction that neither can afford to initiate war. Thus, the Cold War — in spite of being an intense form of rivalry between great powers — remained a ‘cold’ and not hot or shooting war. The deterrence relationship prevents war but not the rivalry between powers.