Private companies provide security and militaryservices to states, international organizations,international non-governmental organizations, andindividuals. This thesis addresses the UnitedNation's use of private security and militarycompanies (PSCs and PMCs). The study looks into thecharacteristics of this practice and subsequentlyprovides some explanations for the pattern andrationale thereof. The study suggests bothradicalized external operating environments andinternal organizational capacities have contributedto increasing the demand for private securityservices. On the supply side, the analysis indicatesthat comprehensive image refinement efforts on partof the industry have added to the UN deploying thesecompanies. This thesis thus argues that the UN's useof PSCs and PMCs can be explained by the UNsimultaneously facing more difficult premises for itsoperations, enhanced expectations for action, andproportionally deteriorated internal capacity. Theprivate security and military industry on its parthas detected the UN potential market and strive toaccommodate to the demands of this potentially veryprofitable market.
