New Weapons for Old Problems

This article by Christopher Parker explains how conventional weapons proliferate and how effective their use is militarily in various regimes. Accessing and distributing ammo is a crucial step in Parker's eyes. This is related to the fact that democracy and globalization have made it possible for power to be divided across developing nations as well. This phenomena has heightened struggle for regional hegemony and security. The idea of traditional access to guns in an evolving democratic society is intriguing. The ease of obtaining weapons has increased as a result of globalization and commercial pressures. Considering the two types of technology and ammunition diffusion processes, it is evident that collaborative arrangement is the most effective. This is associated with the fact that parties involved get to share resources as well as risks. The author states, “Given the importance of fiscal considerations both in sharing the costs of research and development (R&D) and in subsidizing the armed forced…” (Parker 1999, p. 123). The co-development parties are able to share costs as well as technologies and human resources.

Another significant concept highlighted by the author is the sociological and operational components of military effectiveness. The domestic social structure, especially class cleavages, is an important factor that determines the level of military power in a state. With the middle class composed of skilled labor, their inclusion in the operation of weapons can enhance a country’s success in war. The author states, “To the extent that skills consistent with operating and maintaining modern weapons are contingent on literacy, a state that excuses members of the middle class from military service, for example, may encounter greater difficulty during wartime” (Parker 1999, p. 126). Being a social component, the political culture of the developing nations also plays a critical role in technology acquisition since the climate created influences the relationship between military and civic institutions. Besides, a peaceful nation would easily attract other states to conduct inter-state military development.



Reference

Parker, C.S., 1999. New weapons for old problems: Conventional proliferation and military effectiveness in developing states. International Security, 23(4), pp.119-147.