The following are some graphs that I've built using SIPRI data. This is part of the exploratory process for my dissertation. They are just helping me to get a feel for the overall issue of arms exports throughout the world. The "big five" refers to the members of the UN security council. This graph gives a good overview of the arms export race between the U.S. and Soviet Union. I hadn't realized before I created it that Russia's exports are approaching the level of the US again. The jagged nature of the graph also illustrates the fact that arms purchases/supply is a somewhat cyclical process. Orders are lumpy, with states ordering large projects in one year and then refraining for a year or two. I think that the whole push/pull nature of the arms transfer regime is understudied in general.  This graph just gives a good comparison of arms transfers by the member of the UN security council.  This graph just shows a good picture of the general trends in arms transfers. The escalation through the early 1980s is clear. It will be interesting to see if the trend again moves upwards or if arms transfers have leveled off to the $20 Billion per year range.  This graph is just a good combination of the information shown in graphs 1, 2 and 3.  |