This book examines the self-representation and identity politics of Private Military and Security Companies (PMSCs).
PMSCs have become increasingly important over the past few decades. While their boom is frequently explained in functional terms, such as their cost-efficiency and effectiveness, this book offers an alternative explanation based on an analysis of the online self-presentations of forty-two US- and UK-based companies. PMSCs are shaping how they are perceived and establishing themselves as acceptable and legitimate security actors by eclectically appropriating identities more commonly associated with the military, businesses and humanitarian actors. Depending on their audience and clients' needs, they can be professional hero warriors, or promise turn-key security solutions based on their exceptional expertise, or, in a similar way to humanitarians, reassure those in need of relief and try to make the world a better place. Rather than being merely public relations, the self-referential assertions of PMSCs are political. Not only do they contribute to a normalization of private security and reinforce an already ongoing blurring of lines between the public and private sectors, they also change what we deem to be 'security' and a 'security actor'.
This book will be of much interest to students of private military companies, critical security studies, military studies, security studies and IR.
Author(s): Jutta Joachim; Andrea Schneiker
Series: Routledge Private Security Studies
Publisher: Routledge
Year: 2019
Language: English
Pages: viii+136
Cover
Half Title
Series Page
Title Page
Copyright Page
Table of Contents
Abbreviations
Acknowledgements
Introduction
Looking back: offensive and defensive companies and the tip of the spear
An argument for identity
Methodology and sampling
Plan of the book
Notes
References
Chapter 1: Identities, identity politics, and PMSCs
From identities to identity politics
Military, business, and humanitarian identities
Identities and corporate branding
Conclusion
References
Chapter 2: Professional hero warriors
Your mission is our mission: of ethical hero warriors
Experienced and excellent: of professional security experts
Conclusions
Note
References
Chapter 3: Security experts and business managers
Custom-tailored turnkey solutions: PMSCs as ‘ordinary businesses’, akin to banks and insurance companies
Selling the services you need: PMSCs and their relationships with clients
Conclusions
Note
References
Chapter 4: Do-gooders and humanitarians
The commercialization of aid: setting the stage
PMSCs as humanitarian service providers: truly helping to ‘make a difference in our world’2
Cooperation with other ‘humanitarian’ actors
Conclusions
Notes
References
Chapter 5: From mercenary to hero warrior, security professional, and humanitarian: summary and discussion of findings
Ethical hero warrior, security expert, and humanitarian: summary of findings
Service providers vs. identity multipliers: theoretical implications
Where to go from here? future research venues
References
Index
