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Military Spending in the United States, Soviet Union, and the People's Republic of China

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  • Thomas R. Cusack

    (International Institute for Comparative Social Research Science Center, Berlin)

  • Michael Don Ward

    (International Institute for Comparative Social Research Science Center, Berlin)

Abstract

Military expenditures of the United States, the Soviet Union, and the People's Republic of China are examined from two perspectives: (1) a modification of the traditional Richardson arms race formulation and (2) the notion that the military budget is used by decision makers, in part, to respond to the domestic political and economic environment. These competing formulations are juxtaposed in an empirical analysis of their relevance for understanding contemporary arms allocation decisions. The empirical evaluation of these processes is informed by a critical appraisal of alternative assessments of military allocations, as reflected in data provided by the Stockholm Institute for Peace Research International, the International Institute for Strategic Studies, and William T. Lee, a noted defense analyst. The findings suggest that the arms race formulation is empirically deficient in accounting for the spending patterns of the United States, Soviet Union, and People's Republic of China in the period from 1949 to 1978. For both the U.S. and the Soviet Union, the use of the military allocation process to influence domestic political and economic conditions receives considerable support. It is also clear from the analysis conducted that the choice of data, especially with regard to Soviet spending, plays a significant role in these findings.

Suggested Citation

  • Thomas R. Cusack & Michael Don Ward, 1981. "Military Spending in the United States, Soviet Union, and the People's Republic of China," Journal of Conflict Resolution, Peace Science Society (International), vol. 25(3), pages 429-469, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:jocore:v:25:y:1981:i:3:p:429-469
    DOI: 10.1177/002200278102500303
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Bunce, Valerie Jane, 1980. "The Succession Connection: Policy Cycles and Political Change in the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe," American Political Science Review, Cambridge University Press, vol. 74(4), pages 966-977, December.
    2. Ostrom, Charles W., 1978. "A Reactive Linkage Model of the U.S. Defense Expenditure Policymaking Process," American Political Science Review, Cambridge University Press, vol. 72(3), pages 941-957, September.
    3. Gillespie, John V. & Zinnes, Dina A. & Tahim, G.S. & Schrodt, Philip A. & Rubison, R. Michael, 1977. "An Optimal Control Model of Arms Races," American Political Science Review, Cambridge University Press, vol. 71(1), pages 226-244, March.
    4. Saris, Willem & Middendorp, Cees, 1980. "Arms Races: External Security or Domestic Pressure?," British Journal of Political Science, Cambridge University Press, vol. 10(1), pages 121-128, January.
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    Cited by:

    1. Eric Dubois, 2016. "Political Business Cycles 40 Years after Nordhaus," Post-Print hal-01291401, HAL.
    2. Eric Dubois, 2016. "Political business cycles 40 years after Nordhaus," Public Choice, Springer, vol. 166(1), pages 235-259, January.
    3. Eric Dubois, 2016. "Political Business Cycles 40 Years after Nordhaus," Université Paris1 Panthéon-Sorbonne (Post-Print and Working Papers) hal-01291401, HAL.
    4. Rosella Cappella Zielinski & Benjamin O Fordham & Kaija E Schilde, 2017. "What goes up, must come down? The asymmetric effects of economic growth and international threat on military spending," Journal of Peace Research, Peace Research Institute Oslo, vol. 54(6), pages 791-805, November.

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