The Following Payoff Matrix Shows the Outcomes for the US

question 57

Multiple Choice

The following payoff matrix shows the outcomes for the US and the USSR from relying on conventional weapons or atomic weapons.The percentages refer to the fraction of the population that would die if a war occurred under the two weapons strategies.Assume the payoff matrix is for 1945,shortly after the US had demonstrated the effectiveness of the atomic bomb in World War II,i.e. ,the example begins in the upper right cell where USA has atomic weapons and the USSR has only conventional weapons. $\begin{array}{c}\quad \quad \quad \quad \quad \quad \quad \quad \quad \quad \quad \quad \quad \quad \quad \text { USSR }\\\text { USA }\begin{array}{|l|l|l|}\hline& \text {Atomic Weapons } & \text { Conventional } \\\hline \text { Atomic } & \text { In the USA, } 60 \% \text { would die, } & \text { In the USA S\% would die, } \\ \text { Weapons } &\text { In the USSR, } 60 \% \text { would die } & \text { In the USSR, } 90 \% \text { would die } \\\hline \text { Conventional } &\text { In the USA, } 90 \% \text { would die; } & \text { In the USA } 10 \% \text { would die, } \\\text { In the USSR, } 5 \% \text { would die } & \text { In the USSR, } 10 \% \text { would die.. } \\\hline\end{array}\end{array}$
Refer to the information given above.After both the USA and USSR have access to atomic weapons,the dominant strategy for the US is to employ __________,and for the USSR,the dominant strategy is to employ __________.

• A)atomic weapons;conventional weapons
• B)conventional weapons;atomic weapons
• C)conventional weapons;conventional weapons
• D)atomic weapons;atomic weapons

---

Definitions:

1950s

A decade marked by post-World War II recovery, the beginning of the Cold War, and cultural shifts in music, fashion, and lifestyle.

Television

A system for transmitting visual images and sound that are reproduced on screens, primarily used for broadcasting programs for entertainment, information, and education.

Mechanization

The process of using machinery and technology to automate tasks and production processes, often leading to increased efficiency and productivity.