358. The nuclear arns race has been a uaJor feat,re of international relationssi-nce the second llorld i^Iar, sometimes it has seerned. as if one suDer-power hassought an offensive capability superior to that of the other ",rrrui-po*"r, rnother cases the nutuar mistrust has Led- both states to seek sirnurtaneously ani-litary capability tbat each hoped night d.eter the other party from launlhing anil-itavy attack or convi.nce it that it couLd not succeed in an attack or would. bedefeated. in a military confLict, The conventional view i.s then that the rnilitarycapabilities of the two states are perceived. to increase by a process of action-reaction, the end result being status quo but on a higher 1evel of arrnements.This is often referred to as tfre aini-iade spiral. 359. This phenonenon could- occur even 'hen the two sides were agreed on theprinciple of parity in their respective forces. The capability of the opponentrsrnili.tary foxces has in practice often been overestiuated to sl-loll for errors oruncertainty i.n the availabl"e information. The forces Judged. necessary to matchA/35/39? nngl-i sh Annex Page 118 that capability could thcn also be overestiraLed by a- ccrparatle Tarqin,to Frovide for a r-eserve capacity. Unless this phenoraenon is cheched' therefore' the principle of parity in forces could stil1 cause a'n arns race' 360. Accordlng to another viev, the development of new strategic reapons systerns is not an action" reactlon process but the result of tvo para1lel, but separate" p"o".="." driven by indepeirdent stinuli in the tvo super- Povers concerned" Decisions to acqu.ire .tll"i.a"--"u.pon systems (and other capabilities) could be taken in order to satisfy demands of various sectional intelests lrithin Governrnents ! intet".tlri"" rivairy in the roilitary establishnent or between other interest groups may be cases in Point)' 361. Profound developments of th€ strategic nuclear systems have been made possible t,y .r""y large investments in applied research and military technology" This has proviala fuet ror the nuclear "tt" "tce in that prograrrmes have.been funded by one Fover iust to ensure that the other rnight nol gain an edge in the development ofacertaintecbnology.oncethistechnofogyhasbeendeveloped,howeverthe
**Analysis**
The text appears to be discussing the phenomenon of the nuclear arms race, its causes, and its implications. The language used is technical and focused on military capabilities, strategic systems, and technological developments. The text also touches on the concept of action-reaction and the perceived need for each side to maintain a military advantage. This suggests that the category should be related to defense, military, or security issues.

**Category**
Science and technology, International relations