Academic Commons
 

Economics Department Community > Economics Discussion Papers


Strategic militarization, deterrence and wars


Files in this item:
File Description SizeFormat
fulltext.pdf341.34KbAdobe PDF
Author(s): Jackson, Matthew O.
Morelli, Massimo
Title: Strategic militarization, deterrence and wars
Issue Date: 2007-Sep
Keywords: war
JEL Code: C78
arms
JEL Code: D74
arms races
peace
militarization
hawks
deterents
doves
Series no.: Discussion Paper 0708-04
Bookmark as: http://hdl.handle.net/10022/AC:P:15441
Abstract: We study countries choosing armament levels and then whether or not to go to war. We show that if the costs of war are not overly high or low, then all equilibria must involve "dove," "hawk," and "deterrent" strategies and the probability of war is positive (but less than one) in any given period. Wars are between countries with differing armament levels and the frequency of wars is tempered by the presence of armament levels that are expressly chosen for their deterrent properties. As the probability of winning a war becomes more reactive to increased armament, the frequency of wars decreases. Finally, as it becomes increasingly possible to negotiate a credible settlement, the probability of peace increases, but the variance of armament levels increases and war becomes increasingly likely when negotiation is not available. This matches observed patterns in the data over time.
Collection(s):Economics Discussion Papers

Copyright: All rights reserved.