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Trigger-happy? Military regimes and the timing of conflict

Author

Listed:
  • Randolph M Siverson

    (University of California, Davis, USA)

  • Richard AI Johnson

    (University of Strathclyde, UK)

Abstract

The proclivity of military regimes and their leaders for more frequent involvement in international conflict than other autocracies has been shown in several studies. The question raised here is not whether they participate in more conflicts and disputes, but rather whether after the leaders of military regimes enter office they initiate these acts more quickly than the leaders of other types of autocracies. Drawing on three authoritarian regime typologies and examining the time to the initiation of any dispute and the initiation of violent disputes, our results show that in comparison to other authoritarian leaders a subset of military leaders is distinctly trigger-happy.

Suggested Citation

  • Randolph M Siverson & Richard AI Johnson, 2018. "Trigger-happy? Military regimes and the timing of conflict," Conflict Management and Peace Science, Peace Science Society (International), vol. 35(5), pages 544-558, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:compsc:v:35:y:2018:i:5:p:544-558
    DOI: 10.1177/0738894216673614
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    References listed on IDEAS

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