Browse
The Art of Coercion : Credible Threats and the Assurance Dilemma

The Art of Coercion : Credible Threats and the Assurance Dilemma

by Cornell University Press

£21.99
MPN9781501782787
Prices updated 21 May 2026

Compare 1 Retailer

Prices checked 27d ago
TGJones logo

TGJones

BEST PRICE
In stock£3.99 delivery2 - 4 working days
3 deals available
£21.99

£25.98 total inc. delivery

Best Price

Amazon

Check live price on Amazon.co.uk

eBay

Check availability and price on eBay.co.uk. Yorkshire.com may be paid for purchases made through this link, by eBay Partner Network.

Check on eBay

Can’t find it elsewhere?

Product Description

The Art of Coercion presents a fresh explanation for the success—and failure—of coercive demands in international politics. Strong states are surprisingly bad at coercion. History shows they prevail only a third of the time.Reid B. C. Pauly argues that coercion often fails because targets fear punishment even if they comply.In this "damned if you do, damned if you don't" scenario, targets have little reason to obey. Pauly illustrates this logic in nuclear counterproliferation efforts with South Africa, Iraq, Libya, and Iran.He shows that coercers face an "assurance dilemma": When threats are more credible, assurances not to punish are less so.But without credible assurances, targets may defy threats, bracing for seemingly inevitable punishment.For coercion to work, as such, coercers must not only make targets believe that they will be punished if they do not comply, but also that they will not be if they do. Packed with insights for any foreign policy challenge involving coercive strategies, The Art of Coercion crucially corrects assumptions that tougher threats alone achieve results.

More products from TGJones

Browse their full range on Yorkshire.com

Deals from Audiobooks retailers

From£21.99TGJones
Buy Now