dangerous. There nay occur, on the one hand, a transfer of the conflicts of the central poners to peripheral po$ers and, on the other hand, an involvenent of ientral powers in local conflicts. This is one of the rnechanisms through nhich central and peripheral confrontations nay becone tinked in such a way as to increase the dangers of both. 125. The arms race tends to render the internatlonal pol it ico-economic environnent more rigid and nore resistant to change. It fosters concern for the Political anal social optlons chosen by other countries, in particular by those countrie6 that are deemed to have strategic itnportance. and it pronotes a pattern of alliance and alignments that may reinforce confrontation and, in sotrE ca€esr alotnination. ttnder such conditions, processes of social transfornation or emancipation are likely to be resisted in rnany cases. They become palnfuL processes, postpond for too longt anal they rnay end in protracted and destructlve conflict, as several of the longest and nost painful wars of the recent past have shown. The external powersr interest in influencing soc io-econonic options in other countrles has generally anounted to slamning an artifical lid on a volatile situation whereby internal tensions have been nore frequently suffocated rather than resolved. Ihe social inrplications of this phenonenon rarely obtain serious attentlon but its conse(Juences are nuch too evident. This can be partly seen in the changing nature of the nilitary hardware being transferred, partlcularly to the developing countries. Along with sophisticated aircraft and npdern arnpured vehicles suPPosed to deter direct threats to national security have .been added a growing 1lst of equipment meant for paramilitary purposesr for exarnple, sawn{ff shotguns, autonatic weaPons. hand-grenades, arnoured personnel carriersr light artilLery, tear-gas shells' and so forth. Included also are some of the nore l[bdern instrunents of social
**Analysis**
The text discusses the consequences of the arms race and its impact on international relations, particularly on peripheral powers and local conflicts. It highlights the dangers of central powers involving themselves in local conflicts and the stifling of social transformation and emancipation. The text also mentions the transfer of military equipment to developing countries, which is meant to deter threats to national security but also has implications for social and political stability.

**Category**
International relations, Humanitarian aid and relief