Question

Describe the basic choices that any government has in responding to a threat of war.

Hint:

Recall the three options in NCERT: surrender, deterrence and defence.

Answer 1

Step 1: Set the situation:
When a country faces a threat of war, its government must decide how to respond.
Traditional security thinking gives a government a small set of basic choices.

Step 2: Choice 1: Surrender:
The government may give in to the demands of the other side and avoid war.
This choice is rarely accepted, because it means loss of sovereignty or territory.

Step 3: Choice 2: Deterrence:
The government may try to prevent the war by threatening the other side with so much damage that it will not attack.
This is called deterrence.

Step 4: Choice 3: Defence:
If war actually begins, the government may defend itself so that the attacker cannot reach its aims, or end the war on terms favourable to it.
This depends on strong armed forces and preparation.

Final Answer:
A government can (1) surrender to the demands, (2) deter the enemy by the threat of heavy damage, or (3) defend itself once the war starts.