IRS 404: Contemporary Strategic Studies

Learning Outcomes

At the end of the course, the students should be able to:

1. define the concept of containment and massive retaliation;
2. discuss the concept of flexible and gradual response;
3. explain the concept of deterrence and graduated retaliation;
4. analyse the concept of balance of power and arms race; and
5. evaluate the notion of super powers.

Course Contents

The contemporary strategic concepts such as Brinkmanship, Containment, Massive Retaliation, Flexible and Gradual Response, Deterrence, Saturation and many others. The evolution of strategic and military policy since 1945 with special reference to the U.S., the Soviet Union, Western Europe and China. The developments in weapons technology since the Second World War and their impact on the U.S.A., U.S.S.R, and Western Europe. Perestroika, Glasnost. Strategic thinking in the post-Cold War period in addition to a consideration of the Arms race and the balance of power.