武器移転の研究

武器移転の研究

抄録

This is the first issue of International Relations that focuses on studies of arms stransfers. This volume will mainly examine current trends of research on arms transfers in Japan.
In recent years, international arms transfers have reflected the structural change in the post-cold war international system. The interactions among various actors become more complex and opaque. The attributes of these interactions can be classified into the following three different forms of arms transfers phenomena.
The first is a divergent dynamics which mostly occurs in the Third World. The divergent phenomenon includes a rapid spread of sophisticated weapon systems, a multiplication of new indigenous weapon producers as well as arms suppliers, and the proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) and relted high tecnologies.
A second attribute of the interaction tends to prevent sensitive military technologies from diffusion. Convergent interaction is developing in the industrialized nations, which must regulate proliferation of WMD, Nuclear Weapons, and Ballistic Missiles to the Third World. This concentrated direction will formulate an export control regime at the global level.
A third type of interaction is the globalization of multilateral collaboration in industrial activities. The implications of the interdependence in arms productions can be considered to evolve into the transnationalization or multinationalization of arms transfers issue.
The concept of arms transfers is controversial and vague, but should be discussed. Whether to interpret the outline of it in a narrow or broad sense, it will bring the different approaches for analysis, or distinct conclusions may arise from multiple interpretations. The concept also can be used in dual theoretical contexts. First, it is used as a high politics issue area, thus it implies political, security and foreign policy issues. Second, it is possible to describe it as a more practical low politics issue area, with increasing arms trade or arms sales since early 1970s.
Finally, the social functions of arms transfers must be argued. The discussion of this question inevitably involves certain value or normative judgements. It will have dual functions, namely positive eufunctions and negative dysfunctions.