Abstract
The mercenary profession is arguably the second oldest profession in the world. The
context surrounding the mercenary soldier has changed and evolved throughout time
while the practice itself has remained almost the same. The mercenary still exists today
and although the current international environment has changed the way the profession is
viewed, a mercenary is still a soldier who accepts compensation for services rendered.
The end of the Cold War proved to be a benchmark in the mercenary trade. The
cessation of the rivalry between the two superpowers, the United States and the Soviet
Union, meant that many smaller countries had to now fend for themselves. The military
and monetary aid that had flowed into allied countries from the superpowers ceased. The
end of the Cold War created a space for mercenary companies to fill. Mercenarism was
growing once again.
There has been an increase in the literature on mercenaries since the Cold War. However,
there has been little focus on the change from mercenaries to private military companies
(PMCs) and their evolving role in international relations. Most of the literature focuses on
case studies but lacks an in-depth exploration of the roles PMCs play.
This study explores the rise of PMCs since the Cold War, focusing on the changing
international environment in which non-state actors (NSAs), and PMCs in particular,
have grown in prominence. The roles played by PMCs have also changed from the old
stereotype of mercenary warfare to a range of activities that include actual combat as well
as logistical support and peacekeeping.
Prof. D. J. Geldenhuys