Challenging Conventional Wisdom: Debunking the Myths and Exposing the Risks of Arms Export Reform - Softcover

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1932019219 ISBN 13: 9781932019216

Publisher: CDI/FAS, 2003

Synopsis

This volume challenges the current call by reformers in the United States to further dismantle most of the provisions governing the export of weapons. The reformers, consisting mostly of industry representatives and their political allies (the Defense Science Board, for example), have had some success in pressing their agenda, arguing that current provisions hurt the US arms industry, undermine the national industrial base, and weaken the ability to produce high-technology goods. The volume's editors and authors take a very broad approach, address each of the reformers' claims, and discuss alternative reforms. Their emphasis is on the inadequate attention reformers have given weapons proliferation. The book's conclusion recommends a careful consideration of export reform within the context of enhancing US security. The text itself consists of ten complementary essays, covering such topics as arms exports subsidization, interoperability, the arms for influence hypothesis, the arms race-war link, the role of Congress, and a range of other arms control proposals. The contributors are authoritative and write from perspectives ranging from think-tanks to academia, and with a strong public policy perspective from within the defense, state and congressional bureaucracy. The book addresses a very narrow public policy issue with great depth, sensitivity, and integration, and it makes its case. It is a necessary read for anyone interested in weapons proliferation, because the detail with which it approaches export control reforms is a model for identifying other processes that conspire against the containment of weapons exports. The book's procedural detail makes it a must for the policymaker and journalist, and its comprehensiveness makes it valuable for the political scientist.

- Julian Schofield

About this title

From the Publisher:

"Challenging Conventional Wisdom: Debunking the Myths and Exposing the Risks of Arms Export Reform," edited by Tamar Gabelnick, former director of the Arms Sales Monitoring Project at the Federation of American Scientists, and Rachel Stohl, senior analyst at the World Security Institute's Center for Defense Information, examines the growing momentum to overhaul the arms export control system. It describes special governmental support for the weapons industry; probes the justifications for major changes to the export system; examines the potential risks associated with these changes; and provides suggestions to strengthen the export control system. The book provides sound, factual research and analysis so that there can finally be an honest, comprehensive debate on this critical issue.

About the Author:

Rachel Stohl is Senior Analyst at the World Security Institute's Center for Defense Information (CDI) in Washington, D.C. Her areas of expertise include the international arms trade, small arms and light weapons, landmines, failed states, children and armed conflict, including child soldiers, and the United Nations. Prior to joining CDI, Ms. Stohl was a Herbert Scoville Peace Fellow at the British American Security Information Council (BASIC) in Washington, DC. Ms. Stohl previously worked at the United Nations Center for Disarmament Affairs in New York and at the Program for Arms Control, Disarmament, and Conversion in Monterey, CA.

About this edition

• Publisher: CDI/FAS
• Publication date: 2003
• ISBN 10: 1932019219
• ISBN 13: 9781932019216
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 223
• Editor: Tamar Gabelnick, Rachel Stohl