Countries with rivalries to their neighbors typically tend to have what regarding military spending?

Countries with rivalries to their neighbors typically tend to have high military spending as a strategic response to perceived threats. This behavior is rooted in the need for self-defense and deterrence; nations engaged in rivalries often feel compelled to enhance their military capabilities to counteract any potential aggression from their rivals. High military spending can manifest in various forms, such as increasing the number of troops, acquiring advanced weaponry, and investing in military technology, all aimed at ensuring national security and territorial integrity.

Additionally, such countries often allocate significant portions of their budgets to defense in order to project power and establish a deterrent against potential conflicts. This can create an arms race, where neighboring countries feel pressured to also increase their military spending in response, perpetuating a cycle of rivalry and military buildup in the region.

In contrast, lower military spending or a decrease in defense budgets would be less likely in the context of ongoing rivalries, as nations would be taking a substantial risk by not adequately preparing themselves for the potential threat posed by their rivals. Countries that do not experience significant rivalries may not feel the same compulsion to prioritize defense in their budgets, allowing for a different allocation of resources.