The Privatization of Warfare and Inherently Governmental Functions: Private Military Companies in Iraq and the State Monopoly of Regulated Force

Since the 2003 U.S. led invasion of Iraq, the private military sector has seen the largest growth of profit for decades. As Iraq continues to be the focal point of private military clients, staff and related actors, the recurring issue of legitimacy must be addressed. While many texts focus only on existing or proposed legislation, this book analyses the public perception of private military companies (PMCs) and, of wider significance, how their use by states affects how the general public perceives state legitimacy of monopolizing force. Furthermore, this book provides a timely overview of how the energy sector and PMCs are challenging the established sovereignty of politically fragmented oil states, illustrating how energy firms may become as culpable as states in their partnerships with the private military sector and subsequent political ramifications.

Nicolai Due-Gundersen is PhD candidate at Kingston University, London. His thesis focuses on the Legitimacy of Arab governments During the Arab Spring and non-democratic political legitimacy. Before moving to London, Nicolai was apolitical researcher and Lecturer at the Oval Research Center, Amman, Jordan. After obtaining a Master's degree in International Relations from the Geneva School of Diplomacy, he worked for NGOs in Jordan and served as an Advisor to the Arab Institute for Security Studies (ACSIS) in Amman.