| Summary/Abstract |
According to the mainstream understanding of international relations, security depends on power usually defi ned in terms of military power. As per this logic, when states increase the latter, the former should increase. At the same time, power and security are also considered in relative terms and as zero-sum games—states feel more secure when their neighbours are insecure. This article however questions this logic and argues that states would be more secure when their neighbours feel secure from them and in turn would make others feel more secure by controlling and decreasing their armaments. Thus, going against mainstream theories, this paper argues that states could increase security by reducing defence expanditure. It compares security levels of different states and their defence expenses. It concludes that the security of those that spend larger amounts on their military tends to be lower than it is for those with smaller military budgets and analyses reasons for this paradoxical outcome.
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