# Nuclear Deterrence **Domain:** Security studies **Doc Type:** Developed Wiki Node **Maturity:** Developed **Collection:** [[collections/Gamification|Gamification Collection]] ## Definition **Nuclear deterrence** is the effort to prevent attack by maintaining a credible threat of unacceptable retaliation. It depends on capability, communication, belief, survivability, and the management of escalation risk. ## Significance It is the article's largest example of intense rivalry structured to avoid direct general war, though proxy violence and accident remain outside that success claim. ## Sources - [[articles/gamification/Lex Sportiva and Winning Without Bloodshed|Lex Sportiva and Winning Without Bloodshed]] - [Primary or institutional source](https://www.rand.org/topics/nuclear-deterrence.html) ## Routes [[wiki/Thomas Schelling|Thomas Schelling]] · [[wiki/Escalation Ladder|Escalation Ladder]] · [[wiki/Stability-Instability Paradox|Stability-Instability Paradox]] · [[articles/gamification/Lex Sportiva and Winning Without Bloodshed|Lex Sportiva and Winning Without Bloodshed]]