What is Warlord?
A '''warlord''' is a ruler whose status is based solely on power of violence without any [[legitimacy]] (that is: right by law). A warlord is a military commander, usually a militant leader, rebel or [[militia]], who has a private [[army]]. The Condottieri of [[Middle Ages]] Italy are well known examples. Many warlords lived in [[China]] and [[Mongolia]]. Warlordism is also known in [[Afghanistan]] and [[Somalia]]. While [[Feudalism|feudal lords]] may have private armies and wage private wars, they are not considered as warlords as their status is based on legitimacy. Warlords appear when a [[state]] collapses. For example feudal lords took over in Europe when the [[Roman Empire]] fell. Warlordism is the inevitable consequence of [[anarchy]]. Many warlords are former officers, clan leaders, [[mafia]] bosses or gang leaders. A warlord may attempt to build a state at the area where he is in power, or he may simply plunder and rob his subjects. A state which has collapsed into warlordism is in continuous civil war. Such countries have few industries except agriculture, mining and [[contraband]], such as drugs and weapons. {{military-stub}} [[Category:Military people]]