| ID | 114610 |
| Title Proper | Other civil society |
| Other Title Information | organised crime in fragile and failing states |
| Language | ENG |
| Author | James, Mark |
| Publication | 2012. |
| Summary / Abstract (Note) | The essay explores the relationship between organised crime and stabilisation, drawing on case-studies from Afghanistan, Latin America, Russia, and West Africa. It pays particular attention to the role that organised crime does or could play in enhancing stability, and pushes back against a number of easy assumptions: that organised crime is unlikely to be a crucial partner in political settlement; that organised crime will always have a net destabilising effect, and; that organised crime has a distinct identity and an exclusively economic motivation. It concludes that four factors will determine whether or not particular organised criminal networks should be bound into a political settlement or excluded from it: the nature and extent of the public authority exerted by the organised criminal network and the level of legitimacy and support that it enjoys; the role of the organised criminal network in the 'governance subversion' nexus; the role of the organised criminal network in the 'logistical nexus', or its links with insurgents, terrorists and other militant groups, and; the impact on the stabilisation narrative and on the reputation of the host government, the UK and the international community. |
| `In' analytical Note | Defence Studies Vol. 12, No.2; Jun 2012: p.218-256 |
| Journal Source | Defence Studies Vol. 12, No.2; Jun 2012: p.218-256 |
| Key Words | International Community ; Organised Criminal Network ; Militant Group ; United Kingdom ; Terrorist ; Organised Crime ; Latin America ; Russia ; West Africa ; Afghanistan |