Oorlogsondernemers: Een vergelijking tussen Private Military Companies en contractors & militaire ondernemers en huurlingen in de Nederlandse Opstand

Abstract

Are Private Military Companies indeed such a new phenomenon in modern day conflict? Can we call them mercenaries and compare them with earlier 'private' soldiers? What do views on mercenaries say about the view on the legitimacy of combatants in a certain period in time? In this thesis, first the concept of 'private' and 'mercenary' arecritically reviewed. Then, two possible forms of mercenaries are compared: modern day Private Military Companies and contractors vs. mercenaries and military entrepreneurs in the Dutch Revolt. They are compared on the aspects of organisation, financing, motivation, place of origin, their use and duties in conflicts, their juridical position and the ethical problems their use entailed. It is concluded that the most useful points of comparison are their organisation, use and duties and juridical position.