Journals / Bingöl Üniversitesi İktisadi ve İdari Bilimler Fakültesi Dergisi / 2026 / Cilt: 10 Sayı: 1

The Defense Burden Shift in Europe: An Empirical Analysis of Convergence Clubs and Their Determinants

Avrupa'da Savunma Yükünün Kayması: Yakınsama Kulüpleri ve Belirleyicilerinin Ampirik Analizi

Arif İğdeli(AKSARAY ÜNİVERSİTESİ, İKTİSADİ VE İDARİ BİLİMLER FAKÜLTESİ)0000-0002-5926-425X
Pages
175–195
Publication Date
2026-06-29
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AI Summary & Key Takeaways

AI Insight
⚡ TL;DR(Too Long; Didn't Read)

Results demonstrate no evidence of absolute convergence towards a single equilibrium point across Europe.

📌 3 Key Takeaways

🎯
Objective & Hypothesis:The study examines defense burden convergence for 41 European countries from 1996 to 2023, identifies the determinants of club formation.
📊
Key Findings & Data:To this end, a two-stage empirical strategy was employed, combining the Phillips-Sul (2007,2009) club convergence with an ordered logit model.
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Conclusion & Impact:Results demonstrate no evidence of absolute convergence towards a single equilibrium point across Europe.
🔬Design:Modeling & Simulation
📍Scope:2023 Verileri
⚙️Variables:Savunma Yükü · Kulüp yakınsaması · Sıralı Logit Model

Abstract

The study examines defense burden convergence for 41 European countries from 1996 to 2023, identifies the determinants of club formation. To this end, a two-stage empirical strategy was employed, combining the Phillips-Sul (2007,2009) club convergence with an ordered logit model. Results demonstrate no evidence of absolute convergence towards a single equilibrium point across Europe. Instead, results reveal the formation of five distinct convergence clubs and one divergent group. The results of the ordered logit model indicate that higher per capita GDP and trade openness increase the likelihood of membership in low-burden clubs, whereas NATO membership, larger population size and greater urbanization are associated with membership in high- burden clubs. Overall, the findings underscore the heterogeneous nature of European defense policies and highlight the structural and strategic factors underlying this divergence. The study thus provides a new analytical framework for debates on burden-sharing within NATO and the EU's common security policy.

Özet

Çalışma, 1996'dan 2023'e kadar 41 Avrupa ülkesinin savunma yükü yakınsamasını incelemekte ve kulüp oluşumunun belirleyicilerini tespit etmektedir. Bu amaçla, Phillips-Sul (2007, 2009) kulüp yakınsaması ile sıralı logit modelini birleştiren iki aşamalı bir ampirik strateji kullanılmıştır. Sonuçlar, Avrupa genelinde tek bir denge noktasına doğru mutlak bir yakınlaşma olduğuna dair hiçbir kanıt göstermemektedir. Bunun yerine, sonuçlar beş farklı yakınlaşma kulübünün ve bir farklılaşma grubunun oluştuğunu ortaya koymaktadır. Sıralı logit modelinin sonuçları, kişi başına GSYİH'nın yüksek olması ve ticaretin açık olmasının düşük yük kulüplerine üyelik olasılığını artırdığını, NATO üyeliği, daha büyük nüfus ve daha fazla kentleşmenin ise yüksek yük kulüplerine üyelikle ilişkili olduğunu göstermektedir. Genel olarak, bulgular Avrupa savunma politikalarının heterojen doğasını vurgulamakta ve bu farklılığın altında yatan yapısal ve stratejik faktörleri ortaya koymaktadır. Böylece çalışma, NATO ve AB'nin ortak güvenlik politikası içinde yük paylaşımı konusundaki tartışmalar için yeni bir analitik çerçeve sunmaktadır.

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Cite This Article

İğdeli, A. (2026). The Defense Burden Shift in Europe: An Empirical Analysis of Convergence Clubs and Their Determinants. Bingöl Üniversitesi İktisadi ve İdari Bilimler Fakültesi Dergisi, Cilt: 10 Sayı: 1, 175–195. https://doi.org/10.33399/biibfad.1825903

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