Publication details
Reassessing varieties of defense capitalism between old and new Europe
| Authors | |
|---|---|
| Year of publication | 2019 |
| Type | Appeared in Conference without Proceedings |
| MU Faculty or unit | |
| Citation | |
| Description | The once again increasing level of investment into European defense industries and accompanying exports allow for a reassessment of varieties of defense capitalism between old and new Europe. Two hypotheses stemming from the concept are examined. Firstly, the revival of arms industries across new Europe should be resulting in vastly greater cooperation and integration with the European arms production chain. This hypothesis is tested in Central Europe and has not yet proven to be the case, and while politically opposed, most East and Central European defense industrial bases remain on the periphery. The second hypothesis follows the next variety – aggressive liberalization of arms exports to build and sustain a DIB – to examine whether new Europe has been liberalizing arms exports policies more so than old Europe. Adjusting for relative size of arms industries, legacy markets, and volume of cancelled licenses – the article finds that neither variety successfully explains either the upsurge of investment in domestic defense industries or the conservative self-restraint in arms export policies. The role of European institutions in both aspects is examined closely with special attention devoted to the two main influencing trends – the European Defense Fund and PESCO. |