Abstract

Driven by a favourable economic climate, South American countries have dedicated a more significant attention to their military budgets since 2000.

How should we interpret these budgetary increases? Is this a classic regional arms race or a policy of modernization of a military arsenal which has become obsolete in most countries of the continent? Considering regional tensions and because of strained relations between many South American countries and the USA, this military consumerism is raising some concern and reactions.