An arms race, in the context of modern geopolitical and technological paradigms, refers to a competitive escalation where entities—such as nation-states or corporations—continuously develop and accumulate advanced weaponry or strategic systems in an attempt to outmatch each other. This self-perpetuating cycle, driven by mistrust and the perceived necessity of superior defense, often leads to exponential growth in both financial and cognitive resources dedicated to militarization and competitive dominance. Such dynamics not only strain economic and social systems but also exacerbate global instability by perpetuating adversarial relationships and escalating the potential for catastrophic conflict. Understanding and mitigating the underlying drivers of arms races requires holistic approaches that prioritize cooperative security, innovation transparency, and diplomacy over the zero-sum logics of traditional competitive paradigms.

See also: mutually assured destruction, nuclear weapon, race to the bottom, conflict theory, decision making