nilitary orientation of thetr technological effortt their experience Largelyindicates that those concentrating highly on milltary technology and slq{er ratesof grohtth than those who nere not leading developers in the nllltary fielal. A major Lesson to be learnt from their experience, therefore, is that the inportanceof civlllan spin-offs fron nilitary technolog!' has been either grossly exaggeratedand/or highly nlsplaced. I4I. Although the arms race phendnenon, whether in its technolog ical nDmentun or inits strateglc orLentatlon, enanates essentially fron a felv najor nilitary poyJers among the developed world, its consequences have becone manifestly global incharacter. In the absence of flEaningful nEasures of disarnament, particularly ofnuclear disarmament, the arms race has becone not only more conplex, but also noreflrmLy entrenched along with the attendant risk that, voluntarlly or lnvoluntarily, one or rpre of the najor arng race participantg rEy get directly or indirectlyinvolved in regional conflicts. Practically all the estirnated 130 nilitaryconfllcts since the Second World lVar have occurred in the developing countries.lilot rrore than 12 arpng the 90 countrles that have actually experienced then or beenclose to them are kndrn to possess any significant capabllities to produce the lteapons used in these conflicts, and even they have lmporteal weapons anal thetechnological knou-how fron the developed norld in general and the rnajor rnilitary powerE in particular. Whatever be the imrEdiate causes of each local nar in the developing countries, this fact by ltself has turned the phenomenon ofinternational arns trangfers, large and growing in both volume and coverage, into achief instrunent of linking the arns race among its najor participants krith thewidely varied nllitary outlays arpng the developing countries. Incldence ofsupplier involvemen! in confllct situations and conflicts anong the recipientcountries rose steadily throughout the I970s and, in several cases of major armrttransfers, thls factor has affected the actual outcone of these conflicts. Theconflicts and confllct situations surrounding the developing countries need to be resolved not onLy because of the hunan destruction they cause for those affected by
**Analysis**
The text primarily discusses the relationship between military technology and its impact on global conflicts, disarmament, and international relations. The emphasis on military technology and its spin-offs suggests a connection to science and technology, while the focus on global conflicts and international relations leans towards international relations and humanitarian aid.

**Category**
Science and technology, International trade, Humanitarian aid and relief