Includes index.

Preface -- Part 1: Methodological and theoretical problems. Arms transfers and international politics : the interdependence of independence / Edward A. Kolodziej ; Twixt cup and up : some problems in applying arms controls / Richard H. Wilcox ; Understanding arms transfers and military expenditures : data problems / Edward T. Fei -- Part 2: The international systems level. Supplier-client patterns in arms transfers : the developing countries, 1967-76 / Michael Mihalka ; The impact of precision guided munitions on arms transfers and international stability / C. I. Hudson, Jr. ; Nuclear proliferation and the spread of new conventional weapons technology / Richard Burt ; The proliferation of new land-based technologies : implications for local military balances / Steven J. Rosen ; The new geopolitics : arms transfers and the major powers' competition for overseas bases / Robert E. Harkavy -- Part 3: The nation state Level I : supplier states. How the United States makes foreign military sales / Jo L. Husbands ; The economics of arms transfers / Anne Hessing Cahn ; Political influence : the diminished capacity / William H. Lewis ; Arms deals : when, why, and how? / Ingemar Dörfer -- Part 4: The nation state Level II : recipient states. Arms transfers and economic development : some research and policy issues / Stephanie G. Neuman ; Dependent militarism in the periphery and possible alternative concepts / Herbert Wulf ; Arms transfers and the "back-end" problem in developing countries / Geoffrey Kemp ; Arms transfers, military training, and domestic politics / Ernest W. Lefever ; Defense industries in the third world : problems and promises / Michael Moodie -- Part 5: Conclusion. The road to further research and theory in arms transfers / The editors -- The arms trade : a selected bibliography / compiled by Nicole Ball.