International security, defence economics and the powers of nations

Abstract

Defence economics is often not perceived as a subject, but as a series of questions that arise in the intersection between the spheres of strategy (the art of a general, the specialist in the use of force) and the sphere of economy (the processes of production, distribution and incentives). This overlap between economics and strategy occurs at the individual, the national and the systemic levels. This intersection or overlap is a contested terrain since economists and strategic studies specialists bring very different presuppositions to the party. Defence economics study take account of the realities of strategy, but the models it brings to the party are those of economists.

Citation

Smith, R. and Fontanel, J. (2008), "International security, defence economics and the powers of nations", Fontanel, J. and Chatterji, M. (Ed.) War, Peace and Security (Contributions to Conflict Management, Peace Economics and Development, Vol. 6), Emerald Group Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 37-51. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1572-8323(08)06003-7