Trends in Military Allocations Since 1816

Abstract

This study, which analyzes trends in major-power military allocations since the early 1800s, finds that while the base size of national armies has increased, new population resources have been channeled less and less into military manpower. A ratchet effect upward in capital allocations to the military across four different historical epochs is evident. Overall, there are proportionately more military personnel (26.8 percent) relative to total population among major powers now than in 1816; economic growth currently produces almost 30-fold the allocations of 165 years ago. Most of the increase can be attributed to the effects of inflation, technological changes, and the continuance of wartime defense burdens.