Deterrence

noun (uncountable)

/dɪˈter.əns/

A strategic doctrine whereby a state or actor persuades an adversary not to initiate hostile action by demonstrating that the costs of such action would outweigh any potential gains. India's nuclear deterrence posture is based on a declared No First Use (NFU) policy (enunciated 1999) and a credible second-strike capability maintained through the nuclear triad. Minimum credible deterrence (MCD) remains the official Indian framework, distinguishing it from US-style extended deterrence.

✍️ Usage in a UPSC answer

India's nuclear doctrine, grounded in minimum credible deterrence with a No First Use pledge, is designed to impose unacceptable retaliatory costs on any adversary that contemplates a first strike, thereby stabilising the subcontinent's security architecture.

Synonyms

dissuasiondiscouragementpreventionrestraintthreat-of-retaliation

Antonyms

provocationincitementinvitationcompellenceemboldenment

🌱 Word Family

deter (verb), deterrent (noun/adjective), deterrable (adjective), undeterred (adjective), deterred (adjective)

🔡 Root

Latin deterrere = to frighten away; de- = away from + terrere = to frighten (same root as 'terror')

📜 Etymology

From Latin deterrere, entering English as deter by the 16th century with deterrence as its abstract noun following in the 17th century. The term gained specialised nuclear-strategic significance during the Cold War when theorists like Herman Kahn and Bernard Brodie formalised deterrence theory; it entered UPSC syllabi through India's nuclear doctrine debates post-Pokhran II (1998).

🧠 Memory Hook

DETERrence = to 'de-TERROR-ise' the opponent's intent. The Latin root terrere (to frighten) sits inside — you frighten the enemy away from acting. Terror used defensively to prevent war.

🛡️ Internal Security 📖 Seen in: Internal Security — Threats, Cyber Sec...

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