Economic and Political Consequences of Arms Transfers to the Third World

Abstract

Arms transfers are a tool of foreign policy and as such help shape the structure of the international system. Their tendency to consolidate the bi-polar power alliance structure has the effect of suppressing social and economic change in Third World countries, increasing their dependence on the developed world and of raising the potential for violent conflict resolution of regional disputes. The author also examines the emerging arms industries in the more developed Third World countries, and concludes that domestic arms production tends to distort the economic, technological and social development of the country, because it almost invariably relies on foreign technology and expertise.