National Security and Defense Expenditure in Africa: A Political and Economic Analysis

Nyang'oro, Julius E.

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Title:	National Security and Defense Expenditure in Africa: A Political and Economic Analysis
Author:	Nyang'oro, Julius E.
Year:	1992
Periodical:	Africa Development: A Quarterly Journal of CODESRIA (ISSN 0850-3907)
Volume:	17
Issue:	4
Pages:	5-28
Language:	English
Geographic term:	Africa
Subjects:	public expenditure defence economic development Politics and Government Military, Defense and Arms Economics and Trade
External link:	https://www.jstor.org/stable/43658273
Abstract:	In this paper the acceptance of defence as a public good in Africa is questioned, the more so because in Africa the legitimacy of the State is itself frequently under challenge. The study discusses the possible direct relationship between military expenditure and economic performance, and investigates the relationship between military expenditure and regime type, notably militarism. It explores the thesis that increased military expenditure is one of the main reasons for Africa's economic decline in the past two decades. The conclusion is that Africa seems to be especially vulnerable to authoritarian rule because of its relatively low level of socioeconomic development. It is not clear, however, that military expenditure per se leads to economic decline, although it is clear that military expenditure in the African context neither contributes to economic growth nor enhances internal security. The assumption of a politically neutral State weighing the security needs of the nation against the welfare losses arising out of reduced consumption to pay for defence, may not have much significance for most less developed economies. State security in these countries will generally involve the need for safegarding the legitimacy of the ruling elite as well as the suppression of domestic opposition groups. Bibliogr., notes, ref., sum. in French.