1989/01/01 by Robert Jervis · 177 citations
Decision Sciences · Economics, Econometrics and Finance · Psychology · Social Sciences · #Criminology #Decision-Making and Behavioral Economics #Deterrence (psychology) #Deterrence theory #Econometrics #Economics #Empirical evidence #Epistemology #Experimental Behavioral Economics Studies #Law #Law and economics #Law, Economics, and Judicial Systems #Philosophy #Political science #Positive economics #Psychology #Public economics #Rational choice theory (criminology) #Rationality
paper · doi:10.2307/2010407
published in World Politics 41(2), 183-207 (Cambridge University Press)
openalex publication_date 1989/01/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/04
The causes and effects of the use of force raise crucial questions of substance and method. Issues are multiple and often are confused with each other. Thus, while many case-study findings contradict “second-wave” deterrence theory, they are consistent with some rational deterrence theories. Many findings, however, cannot be squared with the assumptions of rationality. Policies are suboptimal and behavior is often inconsistent. Furthermore, the actor's values, beliefs, and calculations are exogenous to rational theories and can only be supplied by empirical analysis.