The US Defense Economy

The US defense economy is large and influential, providing resources for national defense against complex adversaries. It involves households, the Federal Government, and interactions between government and industrial suppliers. There is a gap between resources and the means to execute the National Security Strategy, and future developments are likely to shape the defense economy.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 75 pages
Publication date: 27 January 2022
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

The United States defense economy stands out for a multitude of reasons, chief among them its sheer magnitude. It constitutes a substantial (although gradually declining) portion of the country's gross domestic product (GDP) and wields a significant global presence. Its primary objective is to furnish the necessary resources for national defense, safeguarding against a diverse range of sophisticated and formidable adversaries. The primary stakeholders in the defense economy are households, and the Federal Government. The intricate interplay between these entities shapes the allocation of resources for national defense and their distribution across various defense requirements. This Element primarily delves into the interactions between the government and industrial suppliers within the unique dynamics of the defense marketplace. It encompasses the developments that have shaped the course of defense industry consolidation post-Cold War. The authors also draw attention to the persistent discrepancy between the resources available for defense and the means to effectively implement the National Security Strategy. Finally, they present some tentative insights regarding the likely developments that will shape the future of the defense economy.

Weight: 172g
Dimension: 151 x 229 x 10 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781009010566
Edition number: New ed