ABSTRACT
This book, first published in 1983, examines weapons standardisation as one aspect of NATO’s efficiency. It analyses the economic arguments for weapons standardisation, the limitations of the analysis and the available evidence. A political economy or public choice approach is used, with its emphasis on policy developments in the political market place of voters, political parties, bureaucracies and interest groups. These agents are central to understanding the function of weapons procurement policy within the Alliance.
1. The Policy Issues: An Overview 2. The Economics and Politics of NATO 3. Standardisation: Theory and Evidence 4. Standardisation Policy: A Critique 5. The Research Design 6. Free Trade versus Nationalism 7. Licensed Manufacturer and Co-Production 8. Joint Projects 9. How Can Joint Projects Be Evaluated? 10. Conclusion: Some Policy Guidelines
