Author: Toby J. Rider
Publisher/Publication: The Journal of Politics
Volume/Issue: 71 (2)
DOI/ISBN: 10.1017/S0022381609090549
Abstract: In this paper Toby J. Rider explores why rival states start to compete over their military strength. He challenges the idea that arms races are a natural response to any kind of threat and proposes that arms races are a costly and risky strategy that states only use when they care a lot about the issue they are fighting over. Finally, he argues that territory is the most important issue that can make states willing to risk an arms race, therefore he tests this argument on a sample of rival states and finds that only threats to territory are linked to arms race onset.