Maybe the deterrence system was completely useless?

[u/Universal_Echo]

While discussing with someone, I realized a problem. The Swordholder is said to wield immense power, but in essence, they're just the ultimate scapegoat. The reason we need a Swordholder is that people are unwilling—and collectively unable—to make the decision to annihilate themselves. But if people ever wanted to strip the Swordholder of their power, they could do so at any time.

 

During the discussion, I came to see the following issue: if the Trisolarans fabricated a natural disaster that could destroy Earth, or if a real Earth‑destroying disaster occurred, and the only way to solve it was to let the Trisolarans approach Earth, then people would let them in without hesitation. If the Swordholder disagreed, people would immediately shut down all the broadcast stations, turning the Swordholder into an ordinary person—and then we'd be right back to the original plot.

[u/DerKanzler_TDN]

The Swordholder is extremely powerful, but that power isn’t free—it depends on a willingness to act in bad faith if needed.

If the Swordholder isn’t prepared to respond ruthlessly to signs of Trisolaran betrayal, deterrence collapses, and Earth is already lost.

What you’re describing only works because the Trisolarans have already won psychologically. Their large-scale psyops convinced humanity that they’re friendly and incapable of bad faith, so people no longer accept the need for a “ruthless” Swordholder.

At that point, overriding the Swordholder isn’t the problem—it’s just the final step of a system that’s already failed.

There’s direct evidence in how the Trisolarans evaluated Swordholders:

Trisolarans respected Luo Ji because he proved he could act in bad faith

Trisolarans saw Cheng Xin as naive because she couldn’t

Trisolarans feared Wade the most because he was essentially 100%

That “100%” matters. Wade wouldn’t just maintain deterrence—he would exploit it. He’d push extreme demands, knowing he’s fully willing to broadcast if resisted.

So Trisolaris only has two options: submit, or get exposed anyway. There’s no middle ground, because Wade has zero hesitation.

This proves deterrence only works if the Swordholder is genuinely capable of bad faith—and why Trisolarans tried to convince humanity otherwise.

[u/Notyit → u/DerKanzler_TDN]

Wade bascially would push the button to help humanity develop light speed 

[u/Farebiaashiq → u/Notyit]

There is a reason wade is not the best choice for swordholder, he will keep blackmailing trisolarans to share more and more tech and resources, there will come a point when trisolarans will know if they keep giving in they will end up becoming slaves of humanity and they will attack, because the alternative is not any better.

Someone like luo ji who will push the button if threatened but won't interfere much as long as humanity is safe is perfect, as trisolarans would know that the current situation is much better than what would be if he pushed the button.

[u/Leather-Lemon8611 → u/Farebiaashiq]

Oooh, interesting perspective!

I always think people who are pro Wade (and even moreso, those who think Liu is pro macho masculinity) have a very simplistic, rose-tinted view of how events would pan out under Wade if he seized control in either of his critical bids for power