DETERRENCE THEORY: AN INSTITUTIONAL APPROACH 1 Erika Prado Rubio Rey Juan Carlos University Abstract: Deterrence can be generally defined as the impending threat of utilizing force against any opposing party that acts undesirably in regard to the dissuasive party. However, a more technical definition can also be given: the management of the cost-benefit calculations of a foe’s particular action during a crisis, with the intention of avoiding it. 1.- Deterrence as an institutional and political concept Deterrence can be generally defined as the impending threat of utilizing force against any opposing party that acts undesirably in regard to the dissuasive party 2 . However, a more technical definition can also 1 The publication of this paper has been possible thanks to the funding of the Subdirección General de Política de Defensa, of Ministry of Defence of Spain, with the Project Guerra híbrida y lawfare: la dimensión jurídica de las nuevas concepciones del conflicto. 2 RÜHLE, M., “Deterrence: what it can (and cannot) do”, NATO Review, April 20th 2015, URL: htps://www.nato.int/docu/review/artcles/2015/04/20/deterrence-what-it- can-and-cannot-do/index.html, last checked on October 28th 2022.