Abstract: The deployment of U.S. military troops to foreign countries has a positive relationship with economic growth in the host countries. We use data on the deployment of U.S. troops to foreign countries over the years 1950-2000 and Summers-Heston data on real gross domestic product per capita (GDP) of 94 countries during the years 1960-2000. Robustness tests confirm the strong troops-growth relationship. The security umbrella provided by American forces and the role troops may play in diffusing institutions are among explanations suggested for the relationship.

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