ABSTRACT
Arms exports are in effect the sale of excess production in order to finance continued production. This chapter focuses on the extent and reasons for that production, which drives the global spread of arms. The more one state acquires arms or allies to defend itself from foreign threat, for example, the more foreign opponents feel threatened and seek arms or allies of their own. The internationalization of the arms industry is prevalent in Europe, where an integrated defence and security community is anticipated by some in the European Community. The lure of technology sharing and joint arms development competes against each country's own sense of nationalism and fears of competitors getting ahead and also against the reality that international arms production is more expensive than purely national production. Arms manufacturing and trade have spread during twentieth century because armament is considered, correctly or not, one way to achieve both security and welfare at the same time.
