Many of the biggest zamindars are said to have private prisons, and some have private militias.

NEWYORKER: Days of Rage

Newly independent South Sudan is a rare example of conscription being introduced (in the hope of supplanting private militias).

ECONOMIST: Conscription

The fact that Mr Sadr considered it wise not to resist suggests not only that the army is now strong enough to out-face private militias but also that the state has acquired far greater political legitimacy, in Shia minds at least.

ECONOMIST: Iraq

These forces, who receive no money from Iran and Saudi Arabia to buy votes, and have no private militias to intimidate voters, couldn't compete against the likes of the Dawa party in Iraq, the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt or Fatah and Hamas in the Palestinian Authority.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: The long road to victory

These include a patchwork of militias loyal to rival clan elders and warlords, along with moderate Islamists, radical Islamists and private security groups hired by businessmen.

ECONOMIST: Ethiopia and Somalia