Honors Theses
Date of Award
2013
Document Type
Undergraduate Thesis
Department
Croft Institute for International Studies
First Advisor
Gang Guo
Relational Format
Dissertation/Thesis
Abstract
Scholars suggest missiles have become the weapon of choice in modem warfare. Missiles are effective against a variety of targets, can travel long distances, and can decrease the need for troops to be engaged in conflict. Nations unable to mobilize large amounts of troops may depend on missiles to equalize military capabilities. Missile stockpiling also serves as a conflict deterrent. What factors influence missile sales between nations and what are the implications of those sales on regional security? This research broadly analyzes the effects of political, socioeconomic, conflict, temporal, and regional factors on global missile sales between 1980 and 2009, while specifically focusing on the implications of Sino-Iranian missile sales on regional security. Among factors contributing to instance and quantity of missile sales, scholars argue economic factors are most salient. However, this research questions that supposition and analyzes a host of hypotheses to determine the importance of a variety of factors influencing missile transfers. Tests of several models confirm a number of factors influence missile transfers, the most influential being whether or not the receiving country is in the Middle East. Economic factors, as expected, influence missile purchasing behavior. Countries with an overall high total GDP but low GDP per capita purchased more missiles than countries with low GDPs and high GDPs per capita. China exports fewer missiles to nations in the midst of conflict, or to nations bordering other nations in conflict, which challenges conventional wisdom. The People’s Republic of China, as a major world proliferator, contributes to the security dilemma in the Middle East by supplying Iran with missiles and related technology. Through improving relations with Iran, China solidifies a trading partner to satiate its growing demand for oil while also developing a new market in which to sell Chinese products. Iran gains an economic powerhouse and member of the UN Security Council as an ally from the relationship.
Recommended Citation
Kynerd, Paul Alexander, "Theorizing Factors Influencing Missile Transfers: A Case Study if Sino-Iranian Missile Transfers and Implications for Regional Security" (2013). Honors Theses. 2364.
https://egrove.olemiss.edu/hon_thesis/2364
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