Private security and identity politics : ethical hero warriors, professional managers and new humanitarians / Jutta Joachim and Andrea Schneiker.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Joachim, Jutta M., author.

Schneiker, Andrea, author.

Series:

Routledge private security studies

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Private military companies.

Private security services.

Security consultants.

Humanitarian assistance.

Physical Description:

vii, 135 pages ; 25 cm.

Place of Publication:

Abingdon, Oxon ; New York, NY : Routledge, 2018.

Summary:

"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 establish 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, assure 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"-- Provided by publisher.

Contents:

Identities, identity politics, and PMSCs

Professional hero warriors

Security experts and business managers

Do-gooders and humanitarians

From mercenary to hero warrior, security professional, and humanitarian: summary and discussion of findings.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

9781138195738

1138195731

OCLC:

1047545841