Arming Conflict

This book uncovers and analyzes the structures and dynamics of the proliferation of small arms and light weapons that fuel conflicts.

Small arms and light weapons are the primary weapons of most armed conflicts. International responses have been shaped by the view that they are abundantly available and easily accessible to all on a global illicit market. This book argues that the arming of conflict is complexly structured and highly dynamic. It uncovers and describes the construction and interaction of structures and dynamics at global and regional levels, which shape the arming patterns of both state and non-state actors.

MIKE BOURNE is Research Fellow at the Centre for International Cooperation and Security, Department of Peace Studies at the University of Bradford, UK. His research interests focus on security and conflict issues, including small arms proliferation and policy responses.

List of Figures * List of Tables * Acknowledgments * Acronyms * PART ONE: WEAPONS SPREAD * Introduction * Structure and Dynamic in Weapons Spread: The Trade and Proliferation of Weapons in Comparative Perspective * PART TWO: THE GLOBAL LEVEL: GLOBAL MARKETS AND DYNAMIC STRUCTURES OF SALW SPREAD * The Foundations and Construction of the Global SALW Trade * Global Structures and SALW Flows to Conflict * PART THREE: THE REGIONAL LEVEL: THE NEGLECTED DIMENSION * In Between the Global and the Conflict: Regional Facilitation and the Construction of Networks * Structures and Dynamics of Intra-Regional SALW Spread to Conflicts * PART FOUR: THE CONFLICT-COMPLEX LEVEL AND ARMING PATTERNS * Arming Conflict from the Bottom-Up: SALW Spread at the Conflict Level * Constructing Top-Down Arming Patterns: Sovereignty, Money, Networks, and the Cumulative Impact of Structures and Dynamics of SALW Spread * Conclusion * Bibliography * Index