*Version 2 / Nov 2019

Picked up this delightful book (title as above, 2018) from the library by (Sir) Lawrence Freedman Emeritus Professor of War Studies at King’s College London (Emeritus means one can permanently hold a title, in this case Professor. This is arguably infrequent and therefore quite precious. According to dictionaries, it is accorded to those who have left the position). I believe I read some of his work back in my university days!

Pg. 4 begins with a breakdown (etymology, a history) of the word deterrence. Agreeing with his work, Merriam Webster (accessed 18 Nov 2019) records:

The word deter is rooted in fear. It was borrowed into English around the mid-16th century from the Latin verb deterrēre, which in turn was formed by combining de-, meaning “from” or “away,” with terrēre, meaning “to frighten.” Terrēre is also the source of terror, terrible, and even terrific, which originally meant “very bad” or “frightful.” These days, you may be deterred by something that frightens you or by something that simply causes you to think about the difficult or unpleasant consequences of continuing.

Deterrence can be done expressly or unequivocally; at other times, it is executed circuitously/indirectly or gained by the recipient through inference/implication. Freedman describes deterrence as “persuasion” to stop or discourage something in the first place. We observe this in nature and humanity. And why deterrence does not succeed is put down to ineffective communication or the disregard/minimisation of the effects from non-compliance.

Legally, Lloyd Duhaime (Duhaime’s Criminal Law Dictionary, accessed 18 Nov 2019)  explains two types of deterrence:

General Deterrence
A sentencing objective which aims to discourage persons other than the offender, from committing a similar offence.

Specific Deterrence
Deterrence, as an objective of sentencing, which is fit to a particular offender.

Thus a repeatedly recalcitrant (obstinately defiant of authority or restraint) offender may be sentenced more harshly.

Returning to the book, it focuses on another kind: nuclear arms/weapon deterrence. Hope you pick it up and thoroughly enjoy it!

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