The Disappearance of Mercenaries from 1856-1960 and Their Subsequent Return
Date
2012-05
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Delaware
Abstract
Mercenaries are an oft-neglected component of international security as well as history. This thesis seeks to define a mercenary and understand the motivations behind mercenarism. The fulcrum of the thesis is the absence in the usage of mercenaries that occurred between 1856 and 1960; the origins of that break, the evidence that exists for and against it, and the reasons and circumstances for its end will be explored. The rise of private security companies makes this thesis particularly relevant; this will be explored in the context of the trend toward a hollow state. The modern divide in patterns of mercenary usage between countries in the global north and countries in the global south will also be documented.