Introduction

Abstract The Introduction outlines the puzzle—why there are 21 unarmed countries in our heavily militarized world—states, the book’s arguments and explains the dearth of a significant literature on the subject. The study defines demilitarized states as “independent countries that maintain no armies and have been admitted as member states of the United Nations.” Then it explains the study's theoretical underpinnings—especially the importance of the concept of critical juncture—and overall approach. Then it goes on to discuss how and why the primary case studies—Costa Rica, Iceland, Mauritius, Panama, and the Solomon Islands—were selected and explains the book’s chronological and spatial parameters. The Introduction concludes with a roadmap to the book, briefly outlining the chapters.