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Abstract

The rivalry between the U.S. and China in cyberspace continues to dominate the 21st Century. Both nations are competing for power and influence in the cyber domain because of its significance in international politics. Cyberspace competition is characterised by the enhancement of cyber offensive capabilities and execution of cyber attacks against adversaries with an ultimate goal of cyberspace domination. The U.S. and China have engaged in cyber disputes, but they have not escalated into war. Nonetheless, there is a possibility that such disputes might escalate into conflicts. Therefore, this existing threat creates a need to examine the effectiveness of cyber deterrence in preventing cyber war. This study sought to determine the effectiveness of cyber deterrence in deterring cyberwar between the U.S. and China through the lens of power transition theory. Scholars have debated the impact of cyber deterrence in preventing cyberwar, given the limited application of classical deterrence theory in cyberspace. Therefore, the key question guiding this research is: What is the impact of cyber deterrence in preventing cyber war between the U.S. and China? The analysis of the effectiveness of cyber deterrence is through an interpretive approach based on the power transition theory framework. The fundamental argument presented in this research is that cyber deterrence has no impact on preventing cyberwar between China and the U.S.

Course: International Relations - MA - P2929FTD

Date Deposited: 2024-02-02

URI/permalink: https://library.port.ac.uk/dissert/dis14361.html