Massive Retaliation
A nuclear strategy in which a state commits itself to retaliate with a much greater force
Real World Example
During the Cold War, massive retaliation was a strategy where the United States promised to respond to any Soviet aggression with overwhelming nuclear force. This approach aimed to deter Soviet attacks by threatening a devastating counterattack, thus maintaining balance and preventing war. It addressed the fear of nuclear conflict and the need for a strong defense strategy during a tense period between the superpowers. Today, the concept still matters as it highlights the importance of deterrence strategies in international relations, impacting how countries manage conflicts and avoid escalation. For example, if two students are in a disagreement, knowing that retaliating harshly could escalate the situation, they might choose peaceful resolutions instead, similar to how countries aim to prevent nuclear conflicts through diplomacy.
