When might states involve themselves in a game of "Chicken"? Why? Describe a historical instance of Chicken that has occurred on the world stage between the 1960s and today. What was at stake for the players, and what were their particular interests in pursuing this "game"? Be sure to support your interpretation with logical argumentation and empirical evidence.

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

The ideal answer should include:
1. Describe the nations who might be most likely to engage in "Chicken," and why. Such states might include, most prominently, North Korea, Iran, Cuba, and perhaps Russia or China, etc. Students might argue that China and Russia might be most likely to engage in Chicken because they have significant power and yet not entirely stable nations, and North Korea, Iran, and perhaps Cuba might be most likely to engage in Chicken because they have a relatively limited amount of power and international support, contributing to their relatively unstable regimes.
2. Describe a specific modern instance of Chicken. The Cuban Missile Crisis or Iraq's invasion and occupation of Kuwait would serve well.
3. Assess the risks and rewards for both sides. In the case of the Cuban Missile Crisis, for instance, both sides risked nuclear war and the appearance of weakness in the face of backing down. The potential rewards for both sides included peace and the projection of power, along with the rewards of continued containment of Cuba and Soviet influence in the Caribbean for the United States, on the one hand, and expanded Soviet influence in the Caribbean, on the other.
4. Offer a concise summary and effective conclusion.