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Bearing the Defense Burden, 1886-1989

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  • Benjamin E. Goldsmith

    (Department of Political Science National University of Singapore)

Abstract

Competing hypotheses are tested on an extensive set of defense-burden data to determine the general factors that influence states' levels of military spending. Results provide some clear answers to longstanding questions and supply new findings that beg further investigation. When controls are introduced for domestic political and economic factors, several international factors, including alliances and rivalries, lose statistical significance. Consistent with liberal theory, regime type has a robust effect: democracies spend proportionately less on defense than other states. As implied by realism, under conditions of economic growth or high levels of wealth, “extra†resources are diverted disproportionately to the military.

Suggested Citation

  • Benjamin E. Goldsmith, 2003. "Bearing the Defense Burden, 1886-1989," Journal of Conflict Resolution, Peace Science Society (International), vol. 47(5), pages 551-573, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:jocore:v:47:y:2003:i:5:p:551-573
    DOI: 10.1177/0022002703254297
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Vincenzo Bove & Roberto Nisticò, 2014. "Coups d’état and defense spending: a counterfactual analysis," Public Choice, Springer, vol. 161(3), pages 321-344, December.
    2. William D. Nordhaus & John R. Oneal & Bruce Russett, 2009. "The Effects of the Security Environment on Military Expenditures: Pooled Analyses of 165 Countries, 1950-2000," Cowles Foundation Discussion Papers 1707, Cowles Foundation for Research in Economics, Yale University, revised Oct 2009.
    3. repec:bpj:pepspp:v:18:y:2012:i:3:p:16:n:2 is not listed on IDEAS
    4. Carlos Pestana Barros, 2016. "Country survey: Angola," Defence and Peace Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 27(3), pages 423-432, June.
    5. Mai'a K. Davis Cross & Ireneusz Pawel Karolewski & Kaija Schilde, 2017. "European Military Capabilities: Enablers and Constraints on EU Power?," Journal of Common Market Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 55(1), pages 37-53, January.

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