Chapter 11 · Sweden and the wider world
Vad byggde kärnvapenavskräckningen mellan stormakterna under kalla kriget på?
What underpinned nuclear deterrence between the superpowers during the Cold War?
Correct answer: The threat of devastating retaliation after an attack
The superpowers’ nuclear weapons could cause immense destruction. The threat of retaliation was intended to deter attack but also created fear of nuclear war.
Key words
avskräckning · deterrence
Source: Riksdagen: SOU 2002:87, Rikets säkerhet och den personliga integriteten · 5.1 Kalla kriget som historia: kapprustning och kärnvapen
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Why this option does not fit
En överenskommelse om ett gemensamt militärt befäl
The blocs were adversaries and did not have a joint military command.
Ett avtal om att inga kärnvapen längre skulle finnas
Arms-control agreements existed, but nuclear deterrence depended on the weapons remaining.
En överenskommelse om att ersätta vapen med handelshinder
Trade barriers are economic measures. Nuclear deterrence rested on threatened military retaliation.