The mercenary profession is arguably the second oldest profession in the world. The context surrounding the mercenary soldier has changed and evolved throughout time while the practice itself has remained almost the same. The mercenary still exists today and although the current international environment has changed the way the profession is viewed, a mercenary is still a soldier who accepts compensation for services rendered. The end of the Cold War proved to be a benchmark in the mercenary trade. The cessation of the rivalry between the two superpowers, the United States and the Soviet Union, meant that many smaller countries had to now fend for themselves. The military and monetary aid that had flowed into allied countries from the superpowers ceased. The end of the Cold War created a space for mercenary companies to fill. Mercenarism was growing once again. There has been an increase in the literature on mercenaries since the Cold War. However, there has been little focus on the change from mercenaries to private military companies (PMCs) and their evolving role in international relations. Most of the literature focuses on case studies but lacks an in-depth exploration of the roles PMCs play. This study explores the rise of PMCs since the Cold War, focusing on the changing international environment in which non-state actors (NSAs), and PMCs in particular, have grown in prominence. The roles played by PMCs have also changed from the old stereotype of mercenary warfare to a range of activities that include actual combat as well as logistical support and peacekeeping. / Prof. D. J. Geldenhuys
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:uj/uj:7116 |
| Date | 13 May 2008 |
| Creators | Buchner, Susan |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
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