The Military Burden in Developing Countries

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Periodical article

Title:	The Military Burden in Developing Countries
Authors:	Dommen, Edward Maizels, Alfred
Year:	1988
Periodical:	Journal of Modern African Studies
Volume:	26
Issue:	3
Period:	September
Pages:	377-401
Language:	English
Geographic term:	Africa
Subjects:	public expenditure defence Economics and Trade Military, Defense and Arms Politics and Government
External link:	https://www.jstor.org/stable/160890
Abstract:	During the 1970s, African arms imports rose faster than in any other region of the world. This article presents a quantitative assessment of some of the factors which influence levels of military expenditure in developing countries, first in general and then in Africa specifically, by means of cross-country multiple regression analysis for the average of the years 1978-1980. It shows that differences among countries in the relative size of their military burdens are not solely - and, for many, not mainly - a reflection of differences in wars or tensions with neighbours. Domestic factors, particularly the need perceived by ruling élites to repress internal opposition groups, as well as external relations with the global power blocs and the availability of foreign exchange to purchase arms from abroad, are also major determinants of military expenditure. Separate analyses were made for African countries of the incidence of armed conflicts and of coups d'état. The results revealed a negative relationship between economic growth and armed conflicts. Ann. (data sources), notes, ref.