The Withering Military in Sub-Saharan Africa: New Roles for the Private Security Industry?

bibliographic database
Line

Periodical article

Title:	The Withering Military in Sub-Saharan Africa: New Roles for the Private Security Industry?
Author:	Lock, Peter
Year:	1998
Periodical:	Afrika Spectrum
Volume:	33
Issue:	2
Pages:	135-155
Language:	English
Geographic term:	Subsaharan Africa
Subjects:	armed forces mercenaries Military, Defense and Arms Development and Technology
Abstract:	In order to establish whether there is a dynamic link between the downsizing of armed forces and the growth of the private security industry in sub-Saharan Africa, the author first dissects the societal conundrum into its different elements; the State, the military, police and security forces, and the external environment. He analyses the role of the armed forces and the police in postcolonial Africa, and examines the impact of the international environment on the transformation of the African State. He describes the ongoing functional undermining changes in the nation-State as globalization and the financial crunch of State finances impose far-reaching privatizations on traditional State activities, arguing that security is no exception. Finally, he considers the different actors in the security market with particular reference to possible effects of large-scale demobilizations. By looking at the economics of the private security industry, he projects its future expansion. Bibliogr., notes, sum. in German and French.