The Impact of Transferring Military Confrontation to Economic Cooperation for Economic Growth - ASEAN Panel Analysis

Abstract

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is one of the three major economic regions besides the North American Free Trade Area (NAFTA) and the European Union (EU). In addition to regional economic integration, the formation of ASEAN has the special characteristics of transferring force confrontation to economic cooperation. The impacts of defense spending on economic growth of six ASEAN countries are measured through panel data. Results show that reduction of defense spending significantly increases economic growth which means that the change from military opposition to economic cooperation in ASEAN member countries helps the economic development of these six countries.