Levine, P.L. and Somnath, S. and Smith, Ron P. (1993) The economics of the international arms trade. Discussion Paper. Centre for Economic Policy Research.
Abstract
Sales of arms are a significant component of international trade and raise a range of pressing policy issues. After a short review of the market, this paper provides a formal model of the trade which allows for competing, forward-looking suppliers whose welfare depends on both the economic benefits from the sales and the security repercussions of recipient behaviour. The recipient's behaviour depends on their military capability which is a function of the stock of arms they have acquired. We first examine myopic recipients, whose behaviour depends on current stocks, then forward-looking recipients for whom questions of the time-consistency and the credibility of supplier threats to embargo, or promises to resupply become crucial. Finally, we examine the impact of supplier cooperation of the sort currently being discussed in the UN Security Council.
Metadata
Item Type: | Monograph (Discussion Paper) |
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Additional Information: | CEPR Discussion Papers, number 770 |
School: | Birkbeck Faculties and Schools > Faculty of Business and Law > Birkbeck Business School |
Depositing User: | Sarah Hall |
Date Deposited: | 27 Oct 2020 18:26 |
Last Modified: | 02 Aug 2023 18:04 |
URI: | https://eprints.bbk.ac.uk/id/eprint/41091 |
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