This Element surveys the field of defense, peace, and war economics with particular emphasis on the contributions made by Austrian economists. I first review treatments of defense, peace, and war by the classical economists. I then discuss the rise of a distinct and systematic defense, peace,...

This paper analyzes the economic reconstruction of Iraq following the 2003, U.S-led invasion. Tracing the foundations and trajectory of the reconstruction, I explain how efforts have fallen prey to the four reconstruction traps identified by Coyne and Pellillo (2010). These traps have hampered...

In 1919, in the wake of the Central Power’s defeat in World War I, Ludwig von Mises published his second book, Nation, State, and Economy. The book explores the consequences of war and the type of political and economic arrangements likely to generate a lasting peace in the future. This paper...