Nuclear weapons as deterrence or defence have limited usage against contemporary security threats to states. Explain the statement.

Solution

The contemporary security threats to states are terrorism, violation of human rights, global poverty, large scale migration to seek a better life, health epidemics and much more. Nuclear weapons as deterrence or defence have limited usage against these contemporary threats because it requires cooperation rather than military confrontation. Military force can be used against terrorism but not for alleviating poverty or to control health epidemics. These threats need cooperation at the regional, continental and global level. It depends on the nature of the threat and willingness and ability of countries to respond.

Some More Questions From Security in the Contemporary World Chapter

What are the choices available to a state when its security is threatened according to the traditional security perspective ?

What is ‘Balance of Power’ ? How could a state achieve this ?

What are the objectives of military alliances ? Give an example of a functioning military alliance with its specific objectives.

Rapid environmental degradation is causing a serious threat to security. Do you agree with the statement ? Substantiate your arguments.