Security Studies for Individuals

An essay on LessWrong explores how military strategy and Cold War nuclear deterrence theory apply to everyday interpersonal conflicts. The author, who studied at Sweden's Defence University, argues that concepts like mutually assured destruction and ideas from Prussian strategist Clausewitz can help navigate everything from workplace disagreements to collaborative projects. One key insight: giving your opponent an off-ramp — a dignified exit that lets them save face — actually makes resolution more likely than demanding absolute victory, which only forces escalation.

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