steve on Nostr: “The Dynamics of Coercion” by Daniel Byman & Matthew Waxman ⭐️⭐️⭐️ ...
“The Dynamics of Coercion” by Daniel Byman & Matthew Waxman
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Whereas Brodie and Schelling sought to characterize and describe the coercive environment they observed in nuclear-age international relations, Byman & Waxman aimed to describe the exact mechanisms by which coercion affects behavior. The authors describe five commonly used coercive mechanisms: power base erosion, unrest, decaptitation, weakening, and denial. By analyzing their adversary in great detail, a would-be adversary can identify pressure points that are vulnerable to coercion. Then, by matching the proper instrument (ex. air strikes or nuclear threats), the coercer can apply leverage to said pressure points to induce some form of desired behavior. The authors apply their categorization schema to a plethora of international affairs dating from the 1956 Suez Crisis up to the Balkans War in the 1990s. While the book is hardly prescriptive, it does build on previous works to add a much-needed common vernacular on coercion studies, particular as it relates to deterrence theory. This wasn’t a thrilling read, but it delivers on its promises by providing a solid foundation for future work. 🥕🗡️
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Whereas Brodie and Schelling sought to characterize and describe the coercive environment they observed in nuclear-age international relations, Byman & Waxman aimed to describe the exact mechanisms by which coercion affects behavior. The authors describe five commonly used coercive mechanisms: power base erosion, unrest, decaptitation, weakening, and denial. By analyzing their adversary in great detail, a would-be adversary can identify pressure points that are vulnerable to coercion. Then, by matching the proper instrument (ex. air strikes or nuclear threats), the coercer can apply leverage to said pressure points to induce some form of desired behavior. The authors apply their categorization schema to a plethora of international affairs dating from the 1956 Suez Crisis up to the Balkans War in the 1990s. While the book is hardly prescriptive, it does build on previous works to add a much-needed common vernacular on coercion studies, particular as it relates to deterrence theory. This wasn’t a thrilling read, but it delivers on its promises by providing a solid foundation for future work. 🥕🗡️