Do arms have influence? Exploring the effect of transferred weapons` military capabilities on recipients` level of foreign policy cooperation
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Date
2016
Authors
Sadykova, Almira
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Nazarbayev University School of Sciences and Humanities
Abstract
This thesis investigates the impact of transferred weapons’ military capabilities on
recipients’ level of foreign policy cooperation. While previous research use financial data to
assess the impact of transferred arms, I directly look at the technical characteristics of delivered
weapons in order to evaluate their effect on importer states’ behavior. I partially draw on
Fearon’s (1998) theory of foreign policy cooperation and extend it. Particularly, in my theory I
consider both formal and informal cooperation processes. I argue that recipients take into
account the type and sophistication level of transferred weapons while deciding whether to
adjust their foreign policies or not. The results of statistical analyses suggest that this
proposition holds for some categories of arms while not for the others. Namely, theoretical
expectations were supported statistically for aircraft category in general and transport aircraft
in particular. By using new measure for the evaluation of weapon shipments, the findings of the
project contribute to scholarly literature on arms transfers, influence and foreign policy
decision-making.
Description
Keywords
weapons` military