BSS453 Privatisation of security

Faculty of Social Studies
Spring 2019
Extent and Intensity
1/1. 6 credit(s). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
Teacher(s)
doc. Tomáš Šmíd, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Guaranteed by
prof. JUDr. PhDr. Miroslav Mareš, Ph.D.
Department of Political Science – Faculty of Social Studies
Contact Person: Mgr. Lucie Pospíšilová
Supplier department: Division of Security and Strategic Studies – Department of Political Science – Faculty of Social Studies
Timetable
Tue 14:00–15:40 U42
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is also offered to the students of the fields other than those the course is directly associated with.
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
Course objectives
The courses introduces the problematics of the privatization of armed conflicts, mercenaries, private military companies, so-called „war enterpreneurs“ (warlords) and paramilitary organisations. The economic dimension of conflict will be explained in the course as well. The beginning lessons deal with a historic context of the phenomenon, the latter ones with a recent situation. The course follows with case studies from the Balkans, Near East, the Caucasus and sub-Saharan Africa. Because the course is aimed for M.A. level of study, the main stress will be put on theoretical, typological and methodological aspects of the problematics.
Syllabus
  • 1. Opening lesson, organisation of the course 2. Definition and classification of non-state military entities and its distinction from terrorist groups and organized criminal groups, or maffias 3. Political economy of conflict 4. Mercenaries from ancient times till 30-years-war 5. 30-years-war till 1794 (Wallenstein, Swiss guard, Wild Geese, Hessen) 6. Mercenaries in 19th – 20th centrury (Gurkhas, French foreign legion, Denard, Hoare, etc.) 7. Piracy – history + recent situation 8. PMCs – theoretical setting, definition 9. The Military Provider Firm 10. The Military Consultant Firm 11. The Military Support Firm 12. Law and economic dimension of PMCs 13. PMCs and international community
Literature
  • Singer, P.W. (2003): Corporate Warriors: The Rise of the Privatized Military Industry. London: Cornell University Press.
  • Avant, Deborah D. (2005): The Market for Force. The Consequences of Privatizing Security. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
  • Lanning, Michael L. (2005): Mercenaries. Soldiers of Fortune, from Ancienit Greece to Todays Private Military Companies. New York: Ballantine Books.
Teaching methods
lectures, discussions, position papers, seminar papers
Assessment methods
The final evaluation will consist of the evaluation of seminar thesis and oral presentation.
Language of instruction
Czech
Further Comments
Study Materials
The course is taught annually.
The course is also listed under the following terms Spring 2009, Spring 2010, Spring 2012, Spring 2013, Spring 2014, Spring 2015, Spring 2016, Spring 2017, Spring 2018.
  • Enrolment Statistics (recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/fss/spring2019/BSS453