Mercenaries in Asymmetric Conflicts

Nonfiction, Social & Cultural Studies, Political Science, International, International Relations, History
Cover of the book Mercenaries in Asymmetric Conflicts by Scott Fitzsimmons, Cambridge University Press
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Scott Fitzsimmons ISBN: 9781139579711
Publisher: Cambridge University Press Publication: September 24, 2012
Imprint: Cambridge University Press Language: English
Author: Scott Fitzsimmons
ISBN: 9781139579711
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Publication: September 24, 2012
Imprint: Cambridge University Press
Language: English

Scott Fitzsimmons argues that small mercenary groups must maintain a superior military culture to successfully engage and defeat larger and better-equipped opponents. By developing and applying competing constructivist and neorealist theories of military performance to four asymmetric wars in Angola and the Democratic Republic of Congo, he demonstrates how mercenary groups that strongly emphasize behavioral norms encouraging their personnel to think creatively, make decisions on their own, take personal initiative, communicate accurate information within the group, enhance their technical proficiency and develop a sense of loyalty to their fellow fighters will exhibit vastly superior tactical capabilities to other mercenary groups. Fitzsimmons demonstrates that although the victorious mercenary groups occasionally had access to weapon systems unavailable to their opponents, the balance of material capabilities fielded by the opposing military forces had far less influence on the outcome of these asymmetric conflicts than the culturally determined tactical behavior exhibited by their personnel.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

Scott Fitzsimmons argues that small mercenary groups must maintain a superior military culture to successfully engage and defeat larger and better-equipped opponents. By developing and applying competing constructivist and neorealist theories of military performance to four asymmetric wars in Angola and the Democratic Republic of Congo, he demonstrates how mercenary groups that strongly emphasize behavioral norms encouraging their personnel to think creatively, make decisions on their own, take personal initiative, communicate accurate information within the group, enhance their technical proficiency and develop a sense of loyalty to their fellow fighters will exhibit vastly superior tactical capabilities to other mercenary groups. Fitzsimmons demonstrates that although the victorious mercenary groups occasionally had access to weapon systems unavailable to their opponents, the balance of material capabilities fielded by the opposing military forces had far less influence on the outcome of these asymmetric conflicts than the culturally determined tactical behavior exhibited by their personnel.

More books from Cambridge University Press

Cover of the book Politics, Identity, and Mexico’s Indigenous Rights Movements by Scott Fitzsimmons
Cover of the book Messianic Religious Zionism Confronts Israeli Territorial Compromises by Scott Fitzsimmons
Cover of the book Adjudicating Climate Change by Scott Fitzsimmons
Cover of the book The Darkness of God by Scott Fitzsimmons
Cover of the book Quantum Concepts in Physics by Scott Fitzsimmons
Cover of the book Children, Adults, and Shared Responsibilities by Scott Fitzsimmons
Cover of the book The Cambridge Handbook of Social Problems: Volume 2 by Scott Fitzsimmons
Cover of the book Authority and the Globalisation of Inclusion and Exclusion by Scott Fitzsimmons
Cover of the book Scalability, Density, and Decision Making in Cognitive Wireless Networks by Scott Fitzsimmons
Cover of the book Human Rights as Social Construction by Scott Fitzsimmons
Cover of the book Successful Grant Proposals in Science, Technology, and Medicine by Scott Fitzsimmons
Cover of the book Dissolving Royal Marriages by Scott Fitzsimmons
Cover of the book An Introduction to the International Criminal Court by Scott Fitzsimmons
Cover of the book Assessment for Teaching 1ed by Scott Fitzsimmons
Cover of the book Reinventing Legal Education by Scott Fitzsimmons
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy