ALTERNATIVES FOR DEFENSE IN THE POST-SOVIET WORLD - A GUIDE FOR ECONOMISTS TO THE US DEBATE

The defense establishments of all major powers are changing to reflect changes in the foundations of national security strategy and resource allocation. The authors believe economists should play an active role in formulating these changes and offer an orientation to the U.S. deb ate, presenting three major alternatives: the ''Base Force'' (Bush Adm inistration), Mr. Aspin's Force ''C,'' and the ''Low'' Alternative (Pr of. Kaufmann and Dr. Steinbruner). These alternatives are compared usi ng first-order measures of capabilities, budgets and risk. Budgetary e stimates are based on newly-developed analytical tools.