WHAT DETERMINES MILITARY ALLOCATIONS IN AFRICA - THEORETICAL AND EMPIRICAL INVESTIGATIONS

This paper investigates theoretically and empirically the determinants of military spending in Africa. It specifies a formal model and uses time-series and cross-sectional estimations to ascertain the reasons b ehind variations in military allocations across and within 40 African countries during 1960-1991. The differences in military expenditures a ppear to reflect a complex of economic, political, and strategic facto rs at both national and international levels. Strategic considerations are, however, found to be the most important factors in most African countries.