Publication

This paper investigates the claim that symmetrical dependence on trade between two states is required for the trade bond to reduce the probability of interstate conflict. The author explores the relationship between the symmetry in a trade relationship and the symmetry in the military power in a utility model of trade, distribution of resources and conflict. The model supports the view that trade most efficiently reduces the incentives for conflict in relatively symmetric dyads. The hypotheses derived from the theoretical model are largely supported in a statistical analysis of directed dyads in the 1950-1992 period.