Basically a Mexican standoff between prominent countries that possess nuclear weapons and have different polictical agendas. Causes the entire world to be gripped in a sort of doomsday fatalism. Also results in peace talks to boil down to a pissing match in which each side takes a "I'll-throw-down-my-gun-if-you-throw-down-your-gun-first" attitude.
In "Beneath the Planet of the Apes" the apes may have survived if they had thier own nukes. The mutant humans wouldn't have used thier nuke because of fear of mutually assured destruction. Which didn't matter anyway, because they all ended up dead, like a bunch of pork rinds.
by Pigeon McNugget October 8, 2003
Get the mutually assured destruction mug.The idea that when two hyper-competitive people or organizations decide to directly advertise against one another the firsts move will elicit a response from the second that will begin a series of escalations in marketing expenditures beyond what would be reasonable in an efficient free market to the point of bankruptcy for both people or organizations. The term comes from the Cold War-era term Mutually Assured Destruction.
McDonald's and Burger King were so concerned with market share with the Big Mac and Whopper that they lost sight of the button line and in an effort to one-up the other in marketing dollars and thus market share, they are both now doomed. It is mutually assured bankruptcy.
by Fat Aaron January 13, 2020
Get the mutually assured bankruptcy mug.Mutually Assured Destruction is where two parties end up destroying each other in the end. This can happen at the end of narcissistic relationships
David and I's relationship devolved to a platform of mutually assured destruction. He nearly took my life, so I made sure to destroy his reputation. He took my money, so I took his. He cheated on me, so I cheated on him. We were both nearly destroyed by the end.
by Siouxsie Supertramp November 7, 2023
Get the Mutually Assured Destruction mug.The principle underlying nuclear deterrence.
The recognition that the use of nuclear weapons between any two nuclear powers (or nuclear-allied powers) will result in mutual destruction. The reason nuclear weapons are so useful (and can never be used).
The recognition that the use of nuclear weapons between any two nuclear powers (or nuclear-allied powers) will result in mutual destruction. The reason nuclear weapons are so useful (and can never be used).
by Jose Fuentes February 12, 2004
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