ABSTRACT
This chapter considers the properties of the structure and dynamics of a conflict relationship involving armaments, and a subsequent decision-maker’s security dilemma. It focuses on the armament-versus-development controversy. This controversy appears particularly relevant to the Third World and many attempts to resolve it have appeared to strengthen the argument about curbing arms races in those areas. The chapter discusses the burden of military expenditure on a national economy. It also focuses on a commonly-made assertion, that the developing countries spend much on their military programmes relative to their scarce available resources and the immediate and urgent needs of their economic development. The whole reasoning about military purpose and the contingencies of the moment, the priority assigned to the programme relative to other national needs and the resources that are available, would be likely to break down along complex structures and procedures of national decision-making.
