The increased use of private military and security companies (PMSCs) is often said to be one of the most significant changes to the military in recent times. This work provides a detailed assessment of the moral arguments for and against the use of PMSCs. In doing so, it considers objections to private force at the employee, employer, and international levels. Ultimately, the challenges posed by the use of PMSCs means that we need to reconsider how military force ought to be organized and that we need to reform our thinking about the ethics of war and, in particular, Just War Theory.

The challenge of PMSCs -- Individuals and private military force -- Employing private military force -- The privatization of military force and the international system -- Implications and reforms.