Dynamic Determinants of Access to Weapons: Global Evidence

Asongu, Simplice and Nnanna, Joseph (2019): Dynamic Determinants of Access to Weapons: Global Evidence. Forthcoming in: Foreign Trade Review

Abstract

This study investigates the determinants of and persistence in access to weapons using a global sample of 163 countries for the period 2010 to 2015. The empirical evidence is based on Generalised Method of Moments (GMM). Hysteresis in access to weapons is consistently more apparent in countries with below-median levels in access to weapons, compared to their counterparts with above-median levels in access to weapons. The hysteresis hypothesis within this context is the propensity of past values of access to weapons to influence future values of access to weapons. Factors that consistently drive access to weapons are: perceptions of crime; criminality; conflict intensity; political instability; military expenditure, violent demonstrations and terrorism. The effects of these drivers are contingent on initial levels of access to weapons. Policy recommendations for managing access to weapons are discussed.

• Item Type: MPRA Paper
• Language: English
• Keywords: Access to weapons; Global evidence; Persistence; Arms; Security
• Subjects: H - Public Economics > H5 - National Government Expenditures and Related Policies > H56 - National Security and War; K - Law and Economics > K4 - Legal Procedure, the Legal System, and Illegal Behavior > K42 - Illegal Behavior and the Enforcement of Law; L - Industrial Organization > L6 - Industry Studies: Manufacturing > L64 - Other Machinery ; Business Equipment ; Armaments; P - Economic Systems > P5 - Comparative Economic Systems > P50 - General

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