Private Security Companies and Local Populations : An Exploratory Study of Afghanistan and Angola
Year: 2008
Type: article
Abstract: This paper looks at how local populations perceive Private Security Companies (PSCs) and what the\nimpact of their activities may be on peoples’ every day lives, examining the two country cases,\nAfghanistan and Angola. The role and effects of PSCs have been discussed from various angles in\nthe past but little attention has been paid to the perspectives of the local population. The goal of\nthis exploratory study is to provide some tentative insights into the perceived positive and negative,\ndirect and indirect impact of PSCs on the local population. One of the central findings from the two\ncases is the overall negative view of those interviewed towards PSCs. The study suggests that PSCs\ncontribute to a sense of distrust and insecurity. Among the main reasons for this are an overall lack\nof transparency regarding PSCs, with respect to hiring practices, mandates, identification,\naccountability, and supervision; the heavy armament of PSCs; and lacking regulation (respectively\nlacking implementation) of security companies. The paper offers some recommendations, how the\nconcerns of the local population could be better addressed.
Authors: Ulrike Joras, Adrian Schuster
Language: English
Topic: Military and Defense Studies
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2279354680