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pessimism due to the inclusion of the atomic bomb. Nuclear weapons have resulted in Nuclear Deterrence which has had a stabilizing effect on the post war international system. The Reconnaissance Revolution The development of the reconnaissance satellite allowed, according to Gaddis, for stability to occur throughout the Cold War and enabled the prevention of Total War. This revolution in technology has given the United States and Soviet Union the ability to evaluate each others capabilities to an unprecedented degree. Gaddis also highlights the importance of the fact that both competing powers allowed Reconnaissance Satellites to pass over their territories. This implicit mutual agreement enabled the Americans and the Soviets to have a far more accurate view of the others military capabilities and, to some degree, economic capabilities as well. It also altered the possibility of a surprise attack, although not eliminated, unexpected assaults were far less likely. This reduced the Soviet Unions geographical superiority, evening out the difference between them and the US. The reconnaissance revolution most importantly influenced the structural stability of the bipolar system as it minimised deception whilst increasing compliance. Ideological Moderation Gaddis states that although ideology was a determinant of the conflict between the United States and Soviet Union, the moderation of ideology in order to maintain stability overcame this rivalry. This reprioritisation occurred due to the recognition from Soviet leaders that war would not advance the cause of revolution. The reasons for this shift of position can be attributed to the bipolar nature of the post war international system and the fact that it legitimised the Soviet Union as a great global power. This change can also be attributed to the proliferation of nuclear capabilities on both sides as it confirmed that there would be no victors at all, whether capitalist or communist. Without the moderation of ideological objectives, Gaddis notes that the stability that characterized great power relations since the end of World War II could not have been possible. Rules of the superpower game Gaddis uses game theory to explain how order was maintained within the Cold War period without an overarching, superior authority. Game theory argues that order evolves from a mutual agreement on a set of "rules" defining the range of behaviour each side anticipates from the other. The assumption is that the particular "game" being played promises sufficient advantages to each of its "players" to outweigh whatever might be obtained by trying to upset it; rivalries can be pursued within an orderly framework, even in the absence of a referee. These "rules" were implicit within the post war superpower relationship. Gaddis identified several of these rules that both superpowers respected which in turn enabled stability. 1) Respect for spheres of influence. 2) Avoidance of direct military confrontation. 3) Use of nuclear weapons only as an ultimate resort. 4) Preference for predictable anomaly over unpredictable rationality. (An unwillingness on the part of the superpowers to trade familiarity for unpredictability) 5) Do not seek to undermine the other sides leadership.