The Privatization of War: Mercenaries, Private Military and Security Companies (PMSC) Private military and security companies (PMSC) are the modern reincarnation of a long lineage of private providers of physical force: corsairs, privateers and mercenaries.
Mercenaries, which had practically disappeared during the XIXth and XXth centuries, reappeared in the 1960’s during the decolonization period operating mainly in Africa and Asia. Under the United Nations a convention was adopted which outlaws and criminalizes their activities. Additional Protocol I of the Geneva Conventions also contains a definition of mercenary. These non-state entities of the XXIst century operate in extremely blurred situations where the frontiers are difficult to separate. The new security industry of private companies moves large quantities of weapons and military equipment. However, these individuals cannot be considered as civilians, given that they often carry and use weapons, interrogate prisoners, load bombs, drive military trucks and fulfill other essential military functions.
Torture. Privatizing Military Production. The end of the Cold War and subsequent reduction in the size of the military raised many questions about how the Army makes or buys its war materiel.
It has a large industrial base, parts of which it owns and operates solely and parts of which are run by civilian contractors. Examples include ammunition plants and arsenals that make heavy ordnance such as gun tubes. The base is large compared with current or anticipated needs and thus underused. Furthermore, much of the equipment is aging and inefficient.
Finally, industrial production falls outside the Army’s inherently governmental function. Most Western nations with modern armies rely entirely on the private sector to meet their needs for military equipment and ammunition. Governing the Arsenals and Ammunition Plants In their investigation of the Army’s arsenals and ammunition plants, RAND researchers began by formulating a strategic vision and gaining the Army’s agreement with that vision. Privatize facilities. What About Risk? Principles of War, by Carl von Clausewitz. By Carl von Clausewitz Translated and edited by Hans W.
Gatzke Copyright September 1942, The Military Service Publishing Company Introduction I. II. 1. 2. Transparency.png (PNG Image, 2000 × 1000 pixels) - Scaled (57%) FBI. The FBI’s Reading Room contains many files of public interest and historical value.
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