Private Military Companies “The Market For Force”: Toward International Regulatory And Control Framework

Abstract

The diminution of the State and the State system as a whole both in its traditional role and functions have again loomed so large in the face of the increasing commodification, privatization, outsourcing and military re-structuring of security and military functions to the Privatized Security Industry (PSI), Private Security Companies (PSCs), Private Military Companies (PMCs) and Private Military Firms (PMFs). These as a consequence have combined to alter and erode the very foundation of the State and the State-system and undermining the quintessential roles and functions of the State as the most basic unit in the analysis of International Relations. Indeed, the encroachment of the market and corporation principles into ones traditional ground of the State clearly represents the erosion of the logical, legal, juridical, moral and philosophical concerns of the State in International relations with wider implications for both military and security ramifications forState and the State system. To this end, whilst there seems to be an ever increasing redefinition of the 'new global military and strategic landscape
as well as architecture, there have, however, existed, if any, effective and sufficient international regulatory and control framework for making corporation operating in the global market place answerable to International law as well as other national regulatory and control frameworks. Employing both empirical and analytical methodologies, this study suggests that what is required is a sufficient and efficient International regulatory and control framework to curtail the agencies of PMCs in International Relations.