Disarmament And Economic Development

The escalating arms race and increasing pressure for Third World development have created an intensifying competition for scarce resources. The escalation of the arms race has resulted in slower and more uneven economic growth and development. The disappointing history of disarmament efforts and the unsatisfactory results in establishing a new international economic order underlie the reluctance to perceive a viable relationship between development and disarmament. The seventeen articles in part one of this volume focus on some of the major problems faced by Third World countries, the policy issues posed by the competition between disarmament and development, and offer some guidelines for international disarmament policies.

This new volume provides reflections and insights from leading public figures and activists who oppose military expenditure in any form. Many of the contributions to this volume were presented as speeches at the 'Disarm! For a Climate of Peace' meeting held in Berlin in 2016, organized by the International Peace Bureau.

This report of the Group of Governmental Experts on the Relationship between Disarmament and Development was submitted to the Secretary-General in pursuance of paragraphs 94 and 95 of the Final Document of the Tenth Special Session of the General Assembly contained in resolution S-10/2 of 30 June 1978.

This report is in response to mandates of the General Assembly on the economic and social consequences of the arms race. It discusses the dynamics and resources of the arms race, military outlays and socio-economic development and international consequences of the arms race. The analysis reveals a continuity of negative effects but a greater degree of change since its previous reports.