The role of mercenaries in international conflicts: from Classic Greece to contemporary private military companies

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JUAN DAVID GARCÍA RAMÍREZ

Abstract

This paper aims first to explain the role of mercenaries in contemporary international conflicts, especially as actors with great capacity to determine the conflict’s dynamic and outcome; and, second to provide an objective vision of the private use of force.  The methodology used an analysis of nature, context and organizational structure of mercenary armies from Classic Greece to the new forms of corporate mercenarism,  for instance private military companies. Conclusions show that this type of actors constitutes a characteristic element in international conflicts.

Keywords:
Conflict, international conflict, power, security, war

Article Details

Author Biography

JUAN DAVID GARCÍA RAMÍREZ, Pontifical Bolivarian University

Politólogo, candidato a Magíster en Estudios Políticos de la Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana y profesor de la Facultad de Ciencias Políticas de la misma Universidad. El artículo es un producto del proyecto “Orden político contemporáneo” adscrito a la línea Relaciones internacionales del Grupo de Investiga- ción en Estudios Políticos de la Facultad de Ciencias Políticas de la Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana. Medellín-Colombia. 

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