The author's study will explore prospective norm changes in how PMCs are publicly perceived in relation to (client) states. The purpose of this analysis is to test the research question and thus explore to what extent state monopoly of regulated force may be eroded by PMCs. An analysis of public discourse regarding relations between specific (client) states and PMCs will reveal to what extent the general public perceives PMCs as state-bound, corporate entities and to what degree states are considered to exercise control over PMCs. In addition, public discourse regarding the host states of PMCs (oft en states classified as conflict or post-conflict environments) and their interaction with such PMCs may be considered.

To explore the research question thoroughly, this author will base discourse analysis on Elke Krahman's own methodology of measuring norm change in his report mentioned in Chapter 3.1. Hence, public discourse will be analyzed within a two-tier framework. First, the author will analyze discourse by a PMC itself to understand how PMCs themselves wish to be constructed. Second, public discourse will be perused to explore the existence and use of PMCs as a norm. Such analysis will compare how PMCs wish to construct themselves with how PMCs are publicly perceived, while examining to what extent a norm of PMC existence and use has been publicly accepted, by analyzing to what extent such discourse constructs PMCs as entities independent of the state. The latter consideration will further explore whether public discourse constructs and accepts PMCs as not only independent of the state but outside of state control, in order to address the research question of whether or not PMCs may erode state monopoly on regulated force.PMC ‘self-discourse’ will be compared to public discourse by, inter alia, attempting to identify common phrases or words found in both PMC ‘self-discourse’ and public discourse on PMCs. This form of analysis will further explore the status of PMCs as commercial security providers under state control or as independent mercenaries.