International Conflict, Defense Spending and the Size of Countries

Alberto Alesina () and Enrico Spolaore

No 5694, NBER Working Papers from National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc

Abstract: This paper provides a formal model of endogenous country formation and of choice of defense spending in a world with international conflict. The model is consistent with three observations. First, secessions and, more generally, break-up of countries should follow a reduction in the likelihood of international conflict. Second, the number of regional conflicts between smaller countries may increase as a result of the break-up of larger countries. Third, the size of the peace divided -- i.e., the reduction in the defense spending in a more peaceful world -- is limited by the process of country break-up.

Date: 1996-08
Note: ME
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