Private Soldiers: Bullets for Hire

Plutocratic Insurgency: Mercenary Muscle?

Preface: Global elites and multinational corporations (MNCs) need to protect their business interests— insider deals and purchased politicians are not always enough. Sometimes ‘when push comes to shove’ nothing beats hired guns. This is especially true in failed and unstable states with lots of natural resources. The private military corporation Academi appears to recognize that need and the evolving security environment of the early 21^st century—one in which MNCs are quickly expanding their use of mercenary muscle. Also note that China, Inc., recognizes the value of mercenaries too. Expect increasing use of mercenaries over the coming decades. They are a key attribute of Epochal Change and the current transition from the modern to post-modern era.

Private Soldiers: Bullets for Hire

The business of private armies is not only growing, but changing shape

The Economist

Nov 17th 2012

Over the past decade the business of renting out private soldiers has grown from a specialised niche into a global trade, worth as much as $100 billion, according to the United Nations.

Key points: More than 90% of the firm’s [Academi—formerly Xe and before that Blackwater] business to date has come from governments, but it thinks that in the future half of its customers could be corporate. Among the early adopters are energy firms and a hotel chain… In Angola, where more than 260,000 Chinese live and work, private firms keep them safe from banditry…