Sovereignty & Collaboration: Affordable Strategies in Times of Austerity?

摘要

Sovereignty is the authority of a state to govern itself, the ability to operate free from external control. It is a complex and intangible entity that means many things to many people. In terms of military procurement, it is the ability to develop and operate equipment free from the eternal constraints of other nations. In this thesis, sovereignty is examined through the lenses of international theory, policy, and practice to determine whether it is an outdated attribute during times of austerity and if an alternative, collaboration, delivers on its promise of affordability. The works of realist and liberal economist schools of international relations mark two opposing positions regarding sovereignty and collaboration. Realists view sovereignty as an integral component of power; collaboration, on the other hand, increases dependency thereby diluting power and increasing political risk. Liberal economists present the opposite view. They believe that by combining diverse and specialist national strengths it is possible to raise the collective level of performance. However, defense procurement is not a true market economy. Fear of failure necessitates government intervention, and it this involvement that restricts the full benefits of collaboration from being realized. Recent research reveals a rising advocacy for the liberal position, with academics viewing collaboration as a means of addressing funding shortfalls. This perspective has been mirrored by the United Kingdom defense policy shifting from a protective, mercantile approach to a more liberal exploitation of the global defense market. Despite these policy changes, the evidence presented in this thesis suggests that the retention of sovereignty remains directed by more domestic political and commercial considerations. Does collaboration improve affordability? From the evidence presented here, the answer is a qualified yes.