Brinkmanship
Brinkmanship
Brinkmanship
(alternately,
brinksmanship) is the practice of pushing
dangerous events to the verge of—or to the
brink of—disaster in order to achieve the
most advantageous outcome. It occurs in
international politics, foreign policy, labour
relations, and (in contemporary settings)
military strategy involving the threatened
use of nuclear weapons.
This maneuver of pushing a situation with
the opponent to the brink succeeds by
forcing the opponent to back down and
make concessions. This might be achieved
through diplomatic maneuvers by creating
The handling of the Cuban missile crisis was described as brinkmanship
the impression that one is willing to use
extreme methods rather than concede.
During the Cold War, the threat of nuclear force was often used as such an escalating measure. Adolf Hitler also
used brinkmanship conspicuously during his rise to power.
Origins
Brinkmanship is the ostensible escalation of threats in order to achieve one's aims. The term brinkmanship was
coined by Secretary of State John Foster Dulles under the Eisenhower administration, during the Cold War.
Eventually, the threats involved might become so huge as to be unmanageable at which point both sides are likely to
back down. This was the case during the Cold War; the escalation of threats of nuclear war, if carried out, are likely
to lead to mutually assured destruction.
Dangers
The dangers of brinkmanship as a political or diplomatic tool can be understood as a slippery slope: In order for
brinkmanship to be effective, the threats used are continuously escalated. However, a threat is not worth anything
unless it is credible; at some point, the aggressive party may have to back up its claim to prove its commitment to
action.
The chance of things sliding out of control is often used in itself as a tool of brinkmanship, because it can provide
credibility to an otherwise incredible threat. The Cuban Missile Crisis presents an example in which opposing
leaders, namely John F. Kennedy and Nikita Khrushchev, continually issued warnings, with increasing force, about
impending nuclear exchanges, without necessarily validating their statements. Pioneering game theorist Thomas
Schelling called this "the threat that leaves something to chance."[1]
The British intellectual Bertrand Russell compared nuclear brinkmanship to the game of chicken.[2] The principle
between the two is the same, to create immense pressure in a situation until one person or party backs down, or both
are annihilated.
1
Brinkmanship
2
References
[1] Schelling, Thomas, The Strategy of Conflict (http:/ / books. google. es/ books?id=7RkL4Z8Yg5AC& dq=thomas+ schelling+ strategy+ of+
conflict& printsec=frontcover& source=bn& hl=en& ei=xuSjSbK-I4-O_gai_ticBQ& sa=X& oi=book_result& resnum=4&
ct=result#PPP13,M1), copyright 1960, 1980, Harvard University Press, ISBN 0-674-84031-3.
[2] Russell, Bertrand W. (1959) Common Sense and Nuclear Warfare (http:/ / books. google. com/ books?id=QXdtzQu57SAC& dq=Common+
Sense+ and+ Nuclear+ Warfare& pg=PP1& ots=XtYUq-Q7XA& sig=4R6txGVJPQsf2DI4s7MRZm-ab_4& hl=en& sa=X& oi=book_result&
resnum=1& ct=result#PPA19,M1) London: George Allen & Unwin, p30: "Since the nuclear stalemate became apparent, the governments of
East and West have adopted the policy which Mr. Dulles calls 'brinksmanship.' This is a policy adapted from a sport which, I am told, is
practiced by some youthful degenerates. This sport is called 'Chicken!'"
External links
• An analysis of brinkmanship tactics used during the Cuban missile crisis (http://www.cubacrisis.net/angl/
pages/aubord01.html)
• Tongil Korea Net: Ridiculous Are Western Media’s Talk about DPRK’s “Brinkmanship Tactics” (http://
tongilkorea.net/2003/02/24/ridiculous-are-western-medias-talk-about-dprks-brinkmanship-tactics/)
Commentary by Korean Central News Agency, February 22, 2003.
• BA boss Willie Walsh shows brinkmanship to end the no fly zone over the UK. (http://news.sky.com/skynews/
Home/UK-News/
Willie-Walsh-Criticises-UK-No-fly-Zone-Planes-Flying-After-BA-Boss-Plays-Game-Of-Brinkmanship/Article/
201004315611447?lpos=UK_News_Second_Home_Page_Article_Teaser_Region_6&
lid=ARTICLE_15611447_Willie_Walsh_Criticises_UK_No-fly_Zone:_Planes_Flying_After_BA_Boss_Plays_Game_Of_Brinkm
html)
Article Sources and Contributors
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