Wk 8 - Private Security Flashcards
Private military and security actors include…
With preferred academic term being…
Mercenaries Private military companies/firms Private security companies/firms Contractors - US term PMSCs - private military security companies
What are the three roles of PMSCs in HS?
Protect – take role of security guards; embassies, people
Promote – aid provision/humanitarian actions; and
Imperil HS – scandals…
Mercenaries and the modern state… (x4)
Shift from mercs to standing armies
Intro of patriotism and nationalism,
But no decline in merc numbers
Swiss neutrality born of industry of hiring out own army – only state never to hire mercs
Twentieth century use of PMSCs (x4)
Used in most modern conflicts, often pilots and other specialists
Most famously, in decolonisation era –
In Africa, notoriety, Bob Denard led many coups over many decades, in 70s mercs evacuated by ICRC with passports stamped ‘never to return’
Anti-merc provisions in Geneva Convention were result of this in 70s-80s (not very successful though)
Issues with prohibiting PMSCs under the Geneva Convention (x4)
Need a working definition:
Many issues, such as proving the ‘desire for private gain’ or ‘material gain’ -
If your lawyer can’t get you off under this definition…
Gaps evident in law as Cold War shifted: UN Convention didn’t cover new form of mercs or PS in armed conflict – massive inc in size/scope post-CW
Why such a big increase in PMSCs post-Cold War? (x3)
Changing nature of warfare
Flooded market
Privatisation of state functions era - Thatcher/Reagan
What characterises modern PMSCs? (x6)
Corporate Business profit-driven Wide range of services and clientele Operate on the open market Specialised international recruiting International
What services are PMSCs providing? (x8 egs)
Guarding embassies Going in first to build camps Guarding convoys and installations Washing dishes Personal security for diplomats/NGOs etc Training local forces Maintenance of hardware and UAVs Intelligence analysts
Four arguments for the use of PMSCs
Cost-effectiveness: flexibility, fewer professionals permanently on staff
Political simplicity: covertness avoids bureaucracy
Offers ‘surge capacities’: global bank of manpower that’s instantly accessible
Now can’t conduct operations without them – US would need conscription
Four pragmatic issues with the use of PMSCs
Lowers morale of forces doing same work for MUCH less pay
Skills drain: best and specialists leave army; paying to train (SAS, SEALS etc) and then to hire back
No evidence its cheaper
Reliability: no patriotism
Four political/legal issues with the use of PMSCs
Law: not covered, so running with impunity; if captured, POW or hostage?
Political ease: no body bags; no official body count; no media hype
Democratic accountability: no oversight
Foreign policy by proxy: activities hard to justify to domestic/international audience
What instruments have attempted to regulate the PMSC industry? (x3)
Montreux Document: 2008; popular as has no new IL in it; state-focussed – needs their support, and written to gain it; non-binding
International Code of Conduct for Private Security Service Providers and Association: Really popular with companies; Amnesty withdrew from drafting process…
New draft UN Convention: Working Group looking for better solution, not on mercs, but PMCs; many states resistant
Can PMSCs be used in humanitarian operations? (x3)
Aid: often in dangerous conditions; ICRC uses in ‘exceptional circumstances’; OXFAM can’t have own army…; Alternative is to not deliver
Peacekeeping: EO quoted that they could have been in Rwanda in 14 days, for $600K/day; UN operation was too late, cost $3 million/day
UN use: still debating, but unlikely
