7. Conclusion

Chapter 7 closes the book by summarizing the argument and by reflecting upon what the defensively bounded and largely labour-centric nature of the Private Military and Security Company PMSC presence might indicate for both future academic analysis and policymaking. In regards to proxy wars, this chapter considers the degree to which PMSCs can serve as proxies given their prominence combined with the pressures generated by the conventional forces norm and the state proclivity towards the offensive. In regards to other clients (i.e., developing world states and non-state actors), this chapter reveals what might be expected of firms, expectations that are constrained given the book’s findings. Finally, in regards to the future influence and impact of PMSCs, this chapter examines the division of tasks between states and PMSCs to suggest implications for both actors stemming from how security challenges are constructed and responded to.