Corporate Soldiers and International Security: The Rise of Private Military Companies (Contemporary Security Studies)

This book traces the history of private military companies, with a special focus on UK private forces. Christopher Kinsey examines the mercenary companies that filled the ranks of many European armies right up to the 1850s, the organizations that operated in Africa in the 1960s and early 1970s, the rise of legally established private military companies in the late 1970s and early 1980s, and today’s private and important actors in international security and post-conflict reconstruction. He shows how and why the change from the mercenary organizations of the 1960s and 1970s came about, as the increasing newness of private military companies came to be recognised. It then examines how PMCs have been able to impact upon international security. Finally, Kinsey looks at the type of problems and advantages that can arise for organizations that decide to use private military companies and how they can make an unique contribution to international security. Corporate Soldiers and International Security will be of great interest to all students of international politics, security studies and war studies. BOOK COVER......Page 1 HALF-TITLE......Page 2 SERIES TITLE......Page 3 TITLE......Page 6 COPYRIGHT......Page 7 CONTENTS......Page 8 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS......Page 9 ABBREVIATIONS......Page 11 INTRODUCTION......Page 14 1. A TYPOLOGY OF PRIVATE MILITARY/SECURITY COMPANIES......Page 21 2. AN HISTORICAL OVERVIEW OF PRIVATE VIOLENCE......Page 47 3. THE ROLE OF PMCs AFTER THE COLD WAR......Page 71 4. TENSIONS EXPOSED IN THE ‘ARMS TO AFRICA’ AFFAIR......Page 85 5. THE PRIVATISATION OF WARFARE AND THE EMERGENCE OF PMCs......Page 107 6. THE ROLE OF PMCs IN A CHANGING GLOBAL ENVIRONMENT......Page 124 7. REGULATION AND CONTROL OF PRIVATE MILITARY COMPANIES......Page 147 CONCLUSION......Page 164 NOTES......Page 173 SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY......Page 194 INDEX......Page 203 This Book Is The First To Explore Comprehensively The Rise Of Uk Private Military Companies On The International Stage.--jacket. 1. A Typology Of Private Military/security Companies -- 2. An Historical Overview Of Private Violence -- 3. The Role Of Pmcs After The Cold War -- 4. Tensions Exposed In The 'arms To Africa' Affair -- 5. The Privatisation Of Warfare And The Emergence Of Pmcs -- 6. The Role Of Pmcs In A Changing Global Environment -- 7. Regulation And Control Of Private Military Companies : The Legislative Dimension. Christopher Kinsey. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 181-189) And Index. This new book examines UK private military companies and their role on the international stage. It traces their origins, development and place in today's complex world. Finally, the book looks at the type of problems and advantages that can arise for organisations that decide to use private military companies for their security requirements.