Privatizing ROTC?
Posted by Lorelei Kelly
The privatization of many functions of the military has occurred without much discussion over the past 15 years--bouyed along, in part by the free-market fundamentalism peddled by so much of the idea industry here in DC. This issue is ripe for Democrats and progressives as a cornerstone in a regenerated "philosophy of government" argument about what are essential public service roles that only government can perform (FEMA might be another one...)
A good article on the subject can be found here, but you can read the abstract below. Along the same theme, make sure to read this LA Times piece called The Journey that Ended in Anguish about the suicide of a military ethicist in Iraq.
The Privatization of Military Affairs: A Look into the Private Military
Industry
By Kyle M. Ballard, Occidental College
In the push to revolutionize military affairs, governments are turning to private companies to conduct many tasks that were once undertaken by the military alone. Anything from feeding troops to fighting on the front line can now be outsourced to highly advanced, corporate-structured private military firms (PMFs). In the United States, for example, PMFs now "provide logistics of every major US military deployment, maintain such strategic weapons systems as the B-2 stealth bomber and Global Hawk unmanned aerial vehicle, and [are] taking over the ROTC programs in over 200 American universities."1
Where the idea of nongovernmental actors participating in war is nothing new, the capabilities of today's firms raise new questions and concerns while presenting innovative solutions to an array of international dilemmas. Thus, as the private military industry enhances its capabilities and becomes more frequently and deeply integrated in military affairs, its emergence remains highly controversial. Therefore, there must be public discourse regarding the issues surrounding private military firms as their presence on the world stage is already having a huge impact and will continue to do so far into the future.
First, PMFs are defined and a history of the private military industry is presented. Then, the increased significance of PMFs in the post-Cold War era is discussed. The tectonic shifts on the post-September 11th world stage are also discussed in route to weighing the benefits and shortcomings of PMFs in the current international climate. It is shown that the integration of PMFs is a foregone conclusion and that the question is not whether PMFs should be used but rather how these firms should be used. In accord with these findings, this paper will address the implications of the rise of the private military industry and its capabilities while focusing on the relationship between PMFs and the central tenets of international law. It will be seen that with the emergence of PMFs has come an increasing need to adjust international law in order to better uphold the integrity of the world system.
runescape money runescape gold runescape money runescape gold wow power leveling wow powerleveling Warcraft Power Leveling Warcraft PowerLeveling buy runescape gold buy runescape money runescape items runescape gold runescape money runescape accounts runescape gp dofus kamas buy dofus kamas Guild Wars Gold buy Guild Wars Gold runescape accounts buy runescape accounts runescape lotro gold buy lotro gold lotro gold buy lotro gold lotro gold buy lotro gold lotro gold buy lotro goldrunescape money runescape power leveling runescape money runescape gold dofus kamas cheap runescape money cheap runescape gold Hellgate Palladium Hellgate London Palladium Hellgate money Tabula Rasa gold tabula rasa money Tabula Rasa Credit
Tabula Rasa Credits Hellgate gold Hellgate London gold
Posted by: runescape money | November 25, 2007 at 01:33 AM
The game gives me a lot of happy,so I often go to earn the 2moons gold.Sometimes my friends will give some 2moon dil. I began to no longer satisfy with the present equipment, so I have to find a friend, a friend gave me a thing.I would not go to buy 2moons dil,i like the game very much.If you want to play it,join us and then cheap 2moons gold.Please do not hesitate to play the game.
Posted by: 2moons dil | December 24, 2008 at 11:19 PM
I hope i can get Atlantica Gold in low price.
Posted by: Atlantica online Gold | January 06, 2009 at 10:34 PM
When I have Archlord gold, I feel very pleased with life no one can understand you, but here you will find fun. When I have Archlord money, I experienced that feeling, that very warm feeling.
Posted by: Archlord gold | January 20, 2009 at 01:41 AM
I hope i can get angels gold in low price,
Yesterday i buy angels gold for my friend.
Posted by: angels online gold | February 14, 2009 at 01:52 AM
I like the wonderland Gold, my brother usually
wonderland online Gold for me. I appriciate him.
Posted by: buy wonderland Gold | March 03, 2009 at 11:14 PM
Thank you for your sharing.! seslichat seslisohbet
Posted by: muhtar | January 11, 2010 at 03:07 PM
Thank you for your sharing! I like i very much!
Posted by: cheap coach handbags | January 29, 2010 at 10:04 PM
Thanks for your sharing,and you will enjoy the sunshine service. Let's abandon all the worry, omega watch and enjoy the happy shopping travel.All the are most in fashion boutique this year. show your chaming temperament. In addtin, the and the other make you mold your unique glamour this winter. The swiss have the high quality but low price. nd have all the style and cheapest price Chanel Watch Enjoying the fun of net purchase! We will supply you the perfect service and after sale support system. Our honest will bring you absolute satisfaction. Aslo and are so good for you.
Posted by: movado watch | June 02, 2010 at 02:56 AM
I recently came across your blog and have been reading along. I thought I would leave my first comment. I don't know what to say except that I have enjoyed resading. Nice blog. I will keep visiting this blog very often.
Posted by: Indonesian teak furniture: Indoor and teak garden | November 07, 2010 at 08:08 PM