States without Armies: Why They Exist and How They Survive?
Twenty-one countries around the world – one-ninth of the United Nations’ roster – do not maintain standing armies. Demilitarized states share some commonalities: (1) the decision to demilitarize, or not to have an army, always follows a pivotal moment in history (e.g. military coup, foreign invasion, reaching independence); (2) they have security arrangements with a regional hegemon and/or alliance; (3) they have not been attacked or invaded; (4) they maintain public safety and border security organizations; (5) they are consolidated democracies; and (6) they are more prosperous and spend more on healthcare, education, and socioeconomic development than their neighbors with armed forces. While “States without Armies” addresses all 21 army-less states, the conversation focuses on the experiences of Costa Rica, Iceland, Mauritius, Panama, and the Solomon Islands.
Speakers:
Dr. Zoltan Barany, The University of Texas at Austin