Mobilization Constraints and Military Privatization: The Political Cost-Effectiveness of Outsourcing Security

This book investigates the connection between tightening mobilization constraints and the use of PMSCs in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Italy. It conceptualizes democracies' use of private military and security companies as an attempt to circumvent the restrictions on the mobilization of military power. PMSCs are politically cost-effective as they enable decision-makers to minimize the institutional obstacles and electoral costs of military deployments.

Format: Hardback
Length: 240 pages
Publication date: 13 December 2022
Publisher: Springer International Publishing AG

This comprehensive book delves into the intricate relationship between the tightening of mobilization constraints and the increasing use of private military and security companies (PMSCs) in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Italy. Drawing upon neoclassical realism and institutionalist theory, it offers a novel conceptualization of democracies' utilization of private military and security firms as a strategic response to the increasingly stringent restrictions on the mobilization of military power.

One of the key findings of the book is that the use of private military contractors is less subject to parliamentary restrictions and less visible to public opinion compared to the deployment of soldiers. This makes PMSCs a politically cost-effective option for decision-makers, as they enable them to navigate the institutional obstacles and electoral costs associated with military operations more efficiently.

In contrast to alternative explanations for the use of PMSCs that focus on effectiveness, ideology, or organizational interests, the book emphasizes the need to reduce both the ex ante hurdles and the ex post costs of military deployments. This underscores the political dimension of PMSC use, as governments seek to balance the demands of security and the constraints imposed by political and economic considerations.

The book explores the various factors that contribute to the increasing reliance on PMSCs, including the changing nature of warfare, the proliferation of non-state actors, and the growing demand for specialized military capabilities. It also examines the legal and ethical implications of PMSC use, including questions about accountability, transparency, and the potential for human rights abuses.

Overall, this book provides a valuable contribution to the study of security and politics, offering a nuanced understanding of the complex relationship between tightening mobilization constraints and the use of PMSCs in contemporary democracies. Its insights will be of interest to scholars, policymakers, and practitioners alike.

Weight: 467g
Dimension: 210 x 148 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783031164224
Edition number: 1st ed. 2023