Understanding Waltz and Sagan's debate on deterrence requires a prior understanding of the term deterrence. The term popularized during the Cold War makes reference to a strategy where a state is able to dissuade another state usually an adversary from undertaking an action that has not yet started ( Freedman, 2018) . Sagan and Waltz's debate is very informative especially with the role that nuclear weaponry is playing in stabilizing as well as destabilizing international peace.
According to Waltz’s argument about deterrence, possessing nuclear weapons may act to slow down arms race instead of speeding them up. In my opinion, development of nuclear weapons is a recipe for arms race speeding up the process rather than slowing it down as Waltz argues. The fact that different countries exhibit mistrust towards each other, the possibility of a nuclear arms race escalating should one country start developing nuclear weapons is significantly high( Freedman, 2018) . As such, I would not agree with Waltz’s opinion on nuclear weapons slowing down arms race. Studies indicate that punishment may not always prevent wrongdoing subsequently deterrence may not prevent the continued nuclear weaponry development.
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Deterrence may not possibly downplay a country's plan for developing nuclear weapons. As a matter of fact, it would spur the process and rather than bringing stability it would court disaster. It is worth noting that deterrence has the potential of making a state more cautious about possible military interventions from the state initiating deterrence ( Freedman, 2018) . For example in a case of America deterring Iran from developing nuclear weapons may cause Iran to develop reservations towards America making Iran more prepared for possible military interventions. I would hold a different opinion from Waltz since according to my thinking, deterrence would not build stability in the long run but rather builds tension which at one time or another will cause a disastrous explosion.
References
Freedman, L. (2018). Nuclear Deterrence: A Ladybird Expert Book . London, England: Penguin UK.
