Developing countries and missile proliferation: The cases of Argentina, Brazil, and India

This dissertation focuses on developing countries' reactions in the face of nonproliferation and export controls regimes. It centers on the effects of nonproliferation regimes—export control regimes in general and the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) in particular—and it draws on the experiences of three countries: Argentina, Brazil, and India. This study explores the theoretical implications of the struggles of developing countries to acquire sensitive technology as a way to advance indigenous ballistic missile and satellite launcher programs.; The cross-national analysis of the developing countries' efforts to acquire ballistic missiles demonstrates that regional realities are more compelling and more determining than idealistic banners waved by nonproliferation regimes. Nevertheless, the formal arrangements that constitute regimes fulfill wider roles by offering an institutional value-paradigm of what is accepted by the international community. This study explores the questions: How have these three countries coped with MTCR and export controls? What can their experiences tell us about the future of export control regimes in the post-Cold War international order? Why, under the pressure of the export control regimes, have some developing countries—such as Argentina and Brazil—changed their programs for missile acquisition, while others—such as India—have not?; This research provides a clearer picture of the regimes' primary effects on developing countries, i.e., the efficacy of the constraints imposed by regimes, as well as secondary effects, i.e., changes in domestic policies caused by regimes. In addition, it offers an improved understanding of how international regimes impact the international system. Finally, by looking into regimes effects outside of the circle of their sponsors, which is an aspect the literature largely ignores, this study contributes to widen the debate on the relevance of international regimes.