Language and Strategy: A Synoptical Analysis of Key Terms in the Strategic Doctrines of the Nuclear

Based on official documents published in the 1980s, this study in comparative strategy presents a dictionary of key terms in the strategic doctrines of the nuclear powers China, France, Great Britain, Soviet Union and the United States. It provides definitions of concepts such as «strategy», «war», «deterrence», «stability», «parity», «peaceful coexistence» or «disarmament», discusses problems of translation equivalence and other terminological aspects, explores the pragmatic meaning of each term in the context of national strategies and strategic cultures and assesses the degree of congruity, divergency and the potential for common understanding in the strategic doctrines of the nuclear powers.