This paper analyses the trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) from 1990 to 2017. Our analysis relies on an unbalanced panel of 79,245 observations reporting SALW exports between 9,275 pairs of countries. In particular, we study the impact of embargoes on trade in SALW. We use a gravity model framework including, in addition to traditional gravity variables, specifically SALW trade controls. The main results show that: (i) embargoes reduce SALW exports to sanctioned countries by 33%; (ii) An EU embargo appears to determine a decrease of 37% of SALW transfers whereas for UN embargoes the impact is not significant. In addition, we found no warning signals of sanctions-busting. First, countries do not seem to import a larger number of SALW if neighbors are under an embargo. Secondly, the findings show that embargoes have no statistically significant effect on the trade in sporting arms. Results are robust to some robustness checks, in particular to endogeneity.

Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons. Are embargoes effective?

A. Baronchelli
;
R. Ricciuti
2022-01-01

Abstract

This paper analyses the trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) from 1990 to 2017. Our analysis relies on an unbalanced panel of 79,245 observations reporting SALW exports between 9,275 pairs of countries. In particular, we study the impact of embargoes on trade in SALW. We use a gravity model framework including, in addition to traditional gravity variables, specifically SALW trade controls. The main results show that: (i) embargoes reduce SALW exports to sanctioned countries by 33%; (ii) An EU embargo appears to determine a decrease of 37% of SALW transfers whereas for UN embargoes the impact is not significant. In addition, we found no warning signals of sanctions-busting. First, countries do not seem to import a larger number of SALW if neighbors are under an embargo. Secondly, the findings show that embargoes have no statistically significant effect on the trade in sporting arms. Results are robust to some robustness checks, in particular to endogeneity.
2022
Small arms and light weapons; Gravity model; Embargoes.
File in questo prodotto:
File Dimensione Formato  
Arms trade published.pdf

accesso aperto

Tipologia: Versione dell'editore
Licenza: Creative commons
Dimensione 717.65 kB
Formato Adobe PDF
717.65 kB Adobe PDF Visualizza/Apri

I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.

Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11562/1050989
Citazioni
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.pmc??? ND
  • Scopus 12
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.isi??? 11
social impact