Private Military Companies and Ethics

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Questions and Answers

What historical roles did Condottieri and maritime privateers serve in medieval and early modern Europe?

Condottieri were mercenaries offering military services, while maritime privateers acted under government commissions to attack enemy ships.

Which roles did PMCs like 'Executive Outcomes' play during the post-Cold War era?

'Executive Outcomes' was involved in military operations and security consulting in conflict zones like Sierra Leone and Angola.

How do PMCs contribute to U.S. foreign policy in Latin America regarding security?

PMCs provide personnel that operate outside Congressional limitations, enhancing security conditions in initiatives like Plan Colombia.

What types of clients do contemporary PMCs typically serve?

Contemporary PMCs serve a diverse clientele, including governments, corporations, international organizations, media, and non-governmental organizations. Signup and view all the answers

In what ways can private contractors both strengthen and weaken military effectiveness?

They can strengthen military effectiveness through speed and flexibility but may weaken it due to questionable behavior. Signup and view all the answers

What is a significant concern about the relationship between PMCs and host governments?

A significant concern is that PMCs often become too close to host governments, potentially strengthening autocratic regimes. Signup and view all the answers

List three services commonly offered by PMCs.

Common services include personal security, military training, and logistical support. Signup and view all the answers

What are some accountability issues associated with employing PMCs?

Accountability issues stem from reliance on private contracts, which lead to reduced transparency and lack of oversight. Signup and view all the answers

How do contractors enable U.S. policymakers to act with less public opinion constraint?

Contractors allow policymakers to operate with fewer constraints as PMCs answer primarily to their employers rather than to the public. Signup and view all the answers

What challenges do PMCs face in terms of regulation and oversight?

PMCs often face challenges due to a lack of regulation, oversight, and accountability, leading to potential abuses of power. Signup and view all the answers

Why does McFate argue that the market for force will increasingly resemble a free market?

McFate believes firms will model themselves after their biggest clients to attract more business, creating a competitive market. Signup and view all the answers

How do PMCs like Academi (formerly Blackwater) primarily serve the U.S. government?

Academi provides personal security, transportation, and military support services to the U.S. government. Signup and view all the answers

What differentiates mercenaries from private military enterprises according to McFate?

Mercenaries operate within existing armies, while private military enterprises raise their own forces. Signup and view all the answers

What ethical dilemmas arise from the use of PMCs in conflict zones?

The ethical dilemmas include excessive violence, potential involvement in human rights abuses, and lack of accountability. Signup and view all the answers

What concerns are associated with using PMCs for humanitarian interventions?

Using PMCs might reduce American casualties, but lower stakes could lead to irresponsible actions that may have severe consequences. Signup and view all the answers

How were military enterprisers and political rulers in early modern Europe considered 'codependent'?

They relied on each other for waging wars, as military enterprisers provided the means while political rulers provided the objectives. Signup and view all the answers

How does Augustine justify defensive war despite considering self-defense ethically questionable?

Augustine justifies defensive war by arguing that it serves the principle of due care and is done in defense of others, primarily the community. Signup and view all the answers

According to Francisco de Vitoria, under what conditions can both sides of a conflict be considered just?

Both sides can be considered just as long as what is permitted to one side is also permitted to the other. Signup and view all the answers

What does the contemporary jus contra bellum paradigm emphasize, and how does it differ from early modern just war paradigms?

It emphasizes that peace should be prioritized over justice, contrasting with early paradigms that viewed justice as a key component for war. Signup and view all the answers

What is a key feature of sovereignty according to Emmerich de Vattel?

A key feature of sovereignty is the claimed and actual independence from all other nations. Signup and view all the answers

How can we reconcile the necessary Law of Nations with the voluntary Law of Nations in the 21st century?

We can reconcile them by establishing rulings on justness that are independent of ideal circumstances. Signup and view all the answers

How has the classical liberal creed influenced American strategic thinking on military intervention according to Dueck?

It promotes the belief that democratic governments are less warlike, and emphasizes that democracy leads to trade, which fosters peace. Signup and view all the answers

What are the two U.S. foreign policy traditions within liberalism discussed by Dueck?

They are Limited Liability and promoting a more liberal world order. Signup and view all the answers

What does the U.S. tradition of 'limited liability' entail regarding military intervention?

It implies a constrained approach with limited means for limited risks, yet includes readiness for military action. Signup and view all the answers

Identify the four strategic subcultures Dueck outlines related to military intervention.

Internationalists, nationalists, progressives, and realists. Signup and view all the answers

According to Dueck, how does a particular strategic subculture come to dominate?

It results from the intersection of international conditions, strategic cultures, domestic politics, and leadership. Signup and view all the answers

How does the 'unrealistic optimism' bias affect decisions on military intervention?

It creates an illusion of control, leading decision-makers to believe outcomes will be favorable. Signup and view all the answers

What is the fundamental attribution error, and how does it influence the use of force in crises?

It causes decision-makers to misinterpret the actions of distrusted actors, favoring hawkish responses. Signup and view all the answers

What impact does the 'illusion of transparency' have on resolving disputes peacefully?

It increases the risk of dangerous misunderstandings when intentions are perceived as non-hostile. Signup and view all the answers

How do the endowment effect and status-quo bias affect negotiated compromises?

They create an aversion to concessions, making it difficult to accept fair deals. Signup and view all the answers

According to Buchanan and Keohane, why does the UN Security Council lack exclusive legitimacy regarding humanitarian intervention?

The UNSC lacks systematic procedures for accountability and hinders other parties from fulfilling justifying functions. Signup and view all the answers

What are two advantages of establishing a new coalition of liberal democracies for humanitarian interventions?

Such a coalition could enhance accountability and provide a more reliable response to crises. Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary concern related to the legitimacy of military interventions according to Buchanan and Keohane?

Military interventions often face issues of sociological legitimacy and accountability. Signup and view all the answers

Describe how precommitment regimes proposed by Buchanan and Keohane would function.

These regimes would involve commitments by states to intervene in humanitarian crises under specific conditions. Signup and view all the answers

Who ultimately decides on military intervention in a precommitment regime, and what is a related problem?

Decisions would typically be made by the coalition of states involved, which may lead to disagreements on the necessity of intervention. Signup and view all the answers

How do Buchanan and Keohane view the relationship between state sovereignty and humanitarian intervention?

They suggest that state sovereignty is valued but also argue that it should not obstruct efforts for humanitarian intervention. Signup and view all the answers

What is one ethical argument against humanitarian intervention according to the national defense paradigm?

One argument is that humanitarian intervention is viewed as a form of aggression against a sovereign state. Signup and view all the answers

Identify and explain one disadvantage of relying on the UN Security Council for humanitarian interventions.

One disadvantage is that the UNSC can be unreliable and inadequate in responding promptly to crises. Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes terrorism from guerrilla warfare based on ethical considerations?

Terrorism is characterized by the random murder of innocent people, whereas guerrilla warfare typically targets enemy soldiers and avoids harming civilians. Signup and view all the answers

According to Walzer, why is terrorism always deemed wrong?

Terrorism is considered wrong because it involves the random murder of innocent individuals and is not a legitimate last resort. Signup and view all the answers

Under what conditions can terrorism be considered acceptable in principle?

Terrorism might be seen as acceptable when a group faces an imminent threat of extinction, referred to as a 'supreme emergency.' Signup and view all the answers

What role does popular support play in justifying a guerrilla movement?

Popular support is crucial, as guerrillas gain war rights only when they have the recognition and support of the people. Signup and view all the answers

What are the two types of rebels discussed in the context of just cause?

Rebels may seek regime overthrow or aim for secession due to issues like colonialism or foreign occupation. Signup and view all the answers

What is meant by the term 'reasonable chance of success' in just war theory?

'Reasonable chance of success' means that a movement must have a realistic likelihood of achieving its objectives to be considered justified. Signup and view all the answers

How does the principle of proportionality apply to just war theory?

Proportionality dictates that the evil resisted must be greater than the evil created by the act of war itself. Signup and view all the answers

According to Gross, when is it acceptable to intentionally harm civilians in conflict?

It may be acceptable to intentionally harm civilians if they are responsible for unjust occupation or grave human rights violations. Signup and view all the answers

What does the concept of 'last resort' refer to in the context of just causes?

'Last resort' refers to the idea that military action should only be taken after all other non-violent alternatives have been exhausted. Signup and view all the answers

What does Walzer suggest about targeting civilian agents of the state?

Walzer suggests that targeting civilian agents engaged in oppressive activities may be considered legitimate in certain contexts. Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Condottieri

Mercenary captains in medieval and early modern Europe who led their own armies, often hired by city-states or monarchs to fight their wars.

Maritime Privateers

Privately owned ships authorized by governments to attack enemy vessels during times of war, often for profit.

Bundled Services (PMCs)

Offering a comprehensive range of services beyond just combat, such as logistics, catering, security, training, and even cleaning.

PMC Public Relations

Efforts by PMCs to distance themselves from the term 'mercenary' and present themselves as legitimate businesses offering specialized services.