Description
The provision of security is traditionally seen as a public monopoly. Nowadays however private parties are increasingly engaged in it. The public sector becomes one of several actors, part of a network that has as its goal the provision of security. It is for crisis and security management students therefore imperative that this perspective is studied. The changing relationship between the public and the private sector also brings a shift from a governance point of view. What can the public security sector learn from its private partners in terms of innovation, efficiency and efficacy? How can private actors be engaged in providing security to citizens while maintaining democratic accountability, and preventing a loss of civil rights? Are there possibilities of hybrid structures to be set up?
Students will get acquainted with the multitude of private security actors, ranging from corporate security to security guards, private intelligence, private military companies and security consultants. By studying relevant theoretical insights and research papers students will get familiar with the theoretical debate concerning the privatization of security and its main empirical findings.
Learning objectives
At the end of the course, students:
Know the definition of private security and can recount the history and development of the private security industry.
Can identify the different parts of the private security industry, and can explain the distinct features of each of them.
Can recount the added value but also the pitfalls of public-private cooperation regarding security, and can point out specific examples of this kind of cooperation.
Can demonstrate human rights issues and accountability issues with the use of private forces regarding security issues, and can analyze these issues accordingly.
Can write a policy paper on a privatization of CSM issue
Timetable
Methods of instruction
This course consists of lectures and is compulsory.
Study load
- total study load 140 – contact hours: 21 – self-study hours: 119
Method of assessment
Midterm assignment 1: 15% of final grade
Midterm assignment 2: 15% of final grade
Policy paper: 70% of final grade
Compensation is possible, except for the final policy paper
Resit: new version of failed papers
Blackboard
Yes, one week in advance
Other course materials/literature
Articles to be made available via Blackboard
Registration
Registration for every course and exam in USIS is mandatory. For courses, registration is possible from four weeks up to three days before the start of the course.
For exams, registration is possible from four weeks up to ten days before the date of the examination.
Contact
Dr. Joery Matthys
Room: B2.08
E-mail: j.matthys@cdh.leidenuniv.nl
Phone numbers: +31-(0)71-527-6688 or +31-(0)70-800-9395