Militarization, Arms Transfer and Arms Production in Peripheral Countries

Abstract

In spite of SALT and M(B)FR, military expenditures are increasing on a world wide scale.1 Over the last decade the share of peripheral countries of the total world military expenditure has increased over-proportionately. This has led to an even increased level of arms transfers to peripheral countries. The dimensions of this expansion are the volume, the number of recipient countries, as well as a tendency to include advanced complex weapon systems. Additionally an intensified process of proliferation of arms-production facilities is to be mentioned as an outstanding new trend in the periphery of the capitalist world market. The present expansion of the armaments dynamics into the periphery is quite astonishing since the American military aid policy has changed dramatically in recent years. Contrary to earlier periods, most of the arms transfers are now of a purely commercial nature, and only a very reduced number of peripheral countries continue to receive considerable military aid and grants. The expansion of the arms race can be subdivided into two dimensions.