Editing Mutual assured destruction (section)

===Effectiveness of the theory according to empirical studies===

A study published in the ''[[Journal of Conflict Resolution]]'' in 2009 [[quantitative research|quantitatively evaluated]] the nuclear peace [[hypothesis]] and found support for the existence of the [[stability-instability paradox]]. The study determined that nuclear weapons promote [[strategic stability]] and prevent large-scale wars but simultaneously allow for more [[low intensity conflict|low intensity conflicts]]. If a nuclear monopoly exists between two states, and one state has nuclear weapons and its opponent does not, there is a greater chance of war. In contrast, if there is mutual nuclear weapon ownership with both states possessing nuclear weapons, the odds of war drop precipitously.<ref>{{cite journal |last=Rauchhaus |first=Robert W. |title=Evaluating the Nuclear Peace Hypothesis: A Quantitative Approach |journal=Journal of Conflict Resolution |volume=53 |issue=2 |pages=258–277 |year=2009 |doi=10.1177/0022002708330387 |s2cid=145065008 |url=http://jcr.sagepub.com/content/53/2/258.short }}</ref>