deterrence

Deterrence is a strategy aimed at preventing unwanted actions, such as crime or military aggression, by instilling fear of consequences. It relies on the idea that if individuals or nations believe the costs of their actions will outweigh the benefits, they will refrain from those actions. This can be achieved through various means, like enforcing strict laws with severe penalties or demonstrating military strength. In essence, deterrence is about making the risk of negative outcomes appear greater than the potential gains, thereby discouraging illegal or aggressive behavior.