Citation

Lipow J, Mealem Y, Tobol Y. Def. Peace Econ. 2009; 20(1): 11-19.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2009, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/10242690801962262

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

It is widely believed that the unionization of military labor leads to reduced discipline and lower combat capability. Case studies of the performance of existing military unions, however, generally suggest that unionization has a benign impact on the performance of the armed forces. In this paper, we offer a theoretical economic analysis of the likely impact of military unionization on volunteer militaries. Our analysis suggests that military unionization will unambiguously lead to larger, but less disciplined, armed forces, leaving the overall impact of unionization on defense capability ambiguous. Military unionization, however, will clearly enhance social welfare.