Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
Mercenaries are professional soldiers hired to serve in a foreign army, group, or organization. Unlike traditional military personnel, they are motivated by personal gain, often financial, rather than patriotism or loyalty to a nation.
Related terms
Private Military Company (PMC): A corporation that offers specialized services ranging from strategic planning and logistics to direct combat operations, often employing former military personnel.
Non: State Actors - Individuals or groups that hold influence and are capable of affecting global politics and economy but do not belong to or represent any particular country or state.
International Political Economy (IPE): The study of how politics and economics interact on a global level, including how economic policies affect international relations and power dynamics