Citation

Van Tuyll H, Brauer J. Def. Peace Econ. 2003; 14(3): 155-173.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2003, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/1024269022000000877

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

We briefly illustrate the application of fundamental principles of economics to three episodes of military history for the second millennium AD. The periods, principles, and cases examined are, first, the European Middle Ages (1000-1300; opportunity cost; siege warfare); second, the Enlightenment and the Age of Battle (1618-1814; expected marginal costs/benefits; the decision to engage in battle); and third, the Cold War (1945-1989; substitution; France's nuclear force de frappe).