The Political Economy of NORAD

Abstract

ABSTRACT This introductory article provides an overview of the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) as well as the contents of this special issue. NORAD is one of the oldest bi-national defence agreements in the world but the economics assessment of it remains scant. This special issue is one attempt to address this oversight. The articles in this special issue focus on the economic aspects of NORAD and its modernization. They delve into economic theories of alliances, burden sharing, potential private benefits of modernization, public choice theory and the impact on local communities and industries. By focusing on the political economy of NORAD, this introductory article underscores the importance of NORAD in the face of evolving threats and calls for greater attention from defense economists to address the complex economic and strategic dynamics involved.