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Hirshleifer'S Social Composition Function In Defense Economics

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  • Todd Sandler

Abstract

This article displays the importance and richness of Hirshleifer's social composition function in public good applications, particularly those in defense economics. This function indicates how individual contributions to the public good combine to determine the overall level of the good that is available for consumption. As such, the concept indicates the aggregation technology of public supply. Applications of this 'aggregator' notion include alliance burden sharing, counter-terrorism policy, and curbing weapon proliferation. For these applications, the article shows how alternate aggregators can have profoundly different collective action and policy implications.

Suggested Citation

  • Todd Sandler, 2006. "Hirshleifer'S Social Composition Function In Defense Economics," Defence and Peace Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 17(6), pages 645-655.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:defpea:v:17:y:2006:i:6:p:645-655
    DOI: 10.1080/10242690601025583
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Richard Cornes, 1993. "Dyke Maintenance and Other Stories: Some Neglected Types of Public Goods," The Quarterly Journal of Economics, President and Fellows of Harvard College, vol. 108(1), pages 259-271.
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    7. Sandler, Todd, 1977. "Impurity of Defense: An Application to the Economics of Alliances," Kyklos, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 30(3), pages 443-460.
    8. Conybeare, John A C & Murdoch, James C & Sandler, Todd, 1994. "Alternative Collective-Goods Models of Military Alliances: Theory and Empirics," Economic Inquiry, Western Economic Association International, vol. 32(4), pages 525-542, October.
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    10. Mueller,Dennis C., 2003. "Public Choice III," Cambridge Books, Cambridge University Press, number 9780521894753.
    11. Todd Sandler, 2005. "Collective versus unilateral responses to terrorism," Public Choice, Springer, vol. 124(1), pages 75-93, July.
    12. Todd Sandler, 1977. "Impurity Of Defense: An Application To The Economics Of Alliances," Kyklos, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 30(3), pages 443-460, August.
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    Cited by:

    1. Ghislain Dutheil de la Roch�re & Jean-Michel Josselin & Yvon Rocaboy, 2014. "SDI, NATO, and the Social Composition Function," Defence and Peace Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 25(2), pages 85-95, April.
    2. K.J.M. De Jaegher & B. Hoyer, 2012. "Cooperation and the common enemy effect," Working Papers 12-24, Utrecht School of Economics.

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