In this paper, the relationship between the use of private military and security services will be examined, as well as the effectiveness of government as a prerequisite for a functioning state. It was argued that a lack of accountability for private security actors erodes the state’s monopoly on violence and that their employment in weak states drags these further towards failure. The rules that govern the behaviour of private security actors will be reviewed first. Afterwards it will be established who can be held accountable, if violations of these norms occur. Finally, the enforcement mechanisms at hand of victims of unlawful conduct will be scritinized and a final conclusion drawn.
