The author notes in the preface that an opportunity for significant cuts in nuclear and conventional forces by major global powers has appeared. Presenting the evidence that the West can cope successfully with disarmament, he identifies policies which need to be adopted for that end.

Research study of domestic economic implications in the USA of arms control and disarmament, including problems of readjustment arising in industry and the reallocation of national resources - includes sections on (1) evolution of the systems approach in the defence community, (2) the evolving systems approach in the civil sector, and (3) the application of defence systems resources in the civil sector, and covers operational research, decision making, etc. Bibliography pp. 165 to 190.

Proponents of arms control and disarmament are often confronted with the argument that reductions in defense expenditure lead to cutbacks in military industries and thus to economic hardship. While a reduction in defense production would cause some economic dislocation, this would be mitigated by the ability of the economy to adapt to changing patterns of production. This book, first published in 1983, assesses the likely effects of reductions in defense industries by an examination of the roles these industries play in national economies. Each chapter discusses industry employment, output, research and development, capital value, profitability, concentration and competition, internal organization and regional employment concentration. Other questions considered include the economic importance of weapons exports, the defense industry as a ‘leading edge’ in maintaining national technological capabilities, and the reliance of individual firms on defense contracting.

This book tracks the progress of 12 countries on five continents in moving resources from defense to civilian activity in the 1990s. Based on intensive research, it addresses each country with an impressive standard of scholarship.

The purpose of the study is to review the likely impact of reduced military expenditures on the economy of the United States and to identify some of the more pressing problems which may be encountered in the shift of resources from military to non-military uses. (Author).