This book surveys the broad terrain covered by the concept of ''the security dilemma'' and points out landmarks along the route proceeding from proliferation to economic interests, showing that the arms trade is built into development of both industrial technology and political competition.

Frederic S. Pearson is director of the Center for Peace and Conflict Studies and professor of political science at Wayne State University.

Despite the end of the Cold War, more countries are obtaining more sophisticated weapons from more suppliers than ever before. This is partly due to the growing number of regional and inter-ethnic conflicts around the world, but it also reflects the political and economic difficulties of weaning public and private enterprise away from the highly lucrative defence industry. Charting the history of the arms dilemma and providing an assessment of the myths and recent trends in weapons development internationally, this book describes the twin motives of welfare and security in the arms market - who buys weapons, who sells them, where they are produced, and how they are (or are not) used.

Acronyms -- Introduction: Persistent Arms Dilemmas -- Global Arms Proliferation: Past and Present -- The Impetus to Manufacture and Acquire Arms -- Arms Transfers and World Politics -- Controlling the Spread of Arms -- Conclusion: Can the Dilemmas Be Resolved? -- Discussion Questions -- Notes -- Glossary -- About the Book and Author