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War and military spending in developing countries and their consequences for development
Author(s) -
Paul Collier
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
the economics of peace and security journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.181
H-Index - 1
ISSN - 1749-852X
DOI - 10.15355/epsj.1.1.10
Subject(s) - safer , deterrence theory , development economics , public economics , economics , political science , computer security , law , computer science
That military expenditure and conflict have adverse consequences for development is unsurprising but important. The policy challenge is to reduce them. I have suggested that substantial components of military expenditure could be reduced without jeopardizing security interests. Military expenditure does not appear to be an effective deterrent of rebellion, and, if it is reduced in a coordinated manner across a region then external security interests would be unaffected. The resources released by reduced military expenditure could be used to increase growth rates, and this in turn would gradually but effectively reduce the risk of internal conflict. Development, not military deterrence, is the best strategy for a safer society.