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Globalization And Transnational Crime : New Links, New Perspectives

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  07 May 2025

Emilio C. Viano
Emilio C. Viano*
Affiliation:
American University and Washington College of Law. Washington DC.
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Abstract

This paper focuses on globalization as it relates to transnational crime. It attempts to show how the very patterns and dynamics that make globalization possible and effective as a positive force in the world also give rise to “collateral” negative, that is criminal, consequences and facilitate the spawning and rapid growth of transnational crimes. Moreover, there are also crimes committed opposing globalization. And globalization also makes it easier to fight crime since it facilitates cooperation and coordination of anti-crime efforts. Thus it has a complex relationship with crime: positive, negative and preventative. The paper also addresses how criminology should review and revise their research and intervention models to take into account how globalization has changed the way we can and should approach crime. New and bold ways of thinking and modeling are needed. Examples are provided.

Resumen

Resumen

Este artículo se centra en la globalización en tanto en cuanto está relacionada con el crimen transnacional. Intenta demostrar cómo los mismos modelos y dinámicas que hacen que la globalización sea posible y eficaz conducen también a consecuencias colaterales negativas, es decir, criminales, y facilitan la introducción y el rápido crecimiento de los crímenes transnacionales. Además, existen también delitos cometidos contra la globalización. Por su parte, la globalización facilita la lucha contra el crimen porque la cooperación y la coordinación de los esfuerzos contra el crimen son más fáciles. Por consiguiente, la globalización posee una relación muy compleja con el crimen: positiva, negativa y de prevención. Este artículo examina también cómo la criminología debería reconsiderar y revisar sus modelos de investigación y de intervención para tener bien en cuenta cómo la globalización ha cambiado la manera en la cual podemos y deberíamos plantear el estudio del crimen. Se necesitan nuevas y audaces maneras de pensar y de preparar modelos. El artículo aporta ejemplos.

Résumé

Résumé

Cet article se concentre sur la globalisation dans sa relation avec la criminalité transnationale. II tente de montrer comment les mêmes modèles et dynamiques qui rendent la globalisation possible et efficace amènent aussi des conséquences collatérales négatives, c'est-à-dire criminelles, et facilitent l'introduction et la croissance rapide des crimes transnationaux. Du reste, il y a aussi des crimes commis contre la globalisation. Et la globalisation, pour sa part, facilite la lutte contre le crime parce que la coopération et la coordination des efforts contre le crime sont plus faciles. En conséquence, la globalisation a un rapport très complexe avec le crime: positif, négatif, et préventif. Cet article traite aussi de la manière dont la criminologie devrait réexaminer et réviser ses modèles de recherche et d'intervention pour prendre en compte ce que la globalisation a changé dans la manière dont on peut et dont on devrait aborder le crime. On a besoin de nouvelles et audacieuses façons de penser et de modéliser. Des exemples sont fournis.

Information

Type
Research Article
Information
International Annals of Criminology , Volume 46 , Issue 1-2 , 2008 , pp. 81 - 106
Copyright
Copyright © 2008 International Society for Criminology

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References

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(33) An indication of the powerful and insatiable demand for goods and services, even if unaffordable, is the dramatic financial crisis that affected especially the United States in late 2008 caused in great part by the so-called “toxic loans” that is real estate loans by financial institutions to people who did not have the money to pay them back. Thus the crisis was fueled by both the insatiable demand for goods beyond their reach by consumers eager to live the “good life” even if they could not afford it and the greed and irresponsibility of banks and Wall Street institutions offering credit without verifying the borrower's ability to repay the loan, wanting to derive maximum financial gains without in the end taking responsibility for it. The U.S. taxpayer is now saddled with an enormous debt, calculated at the end of September 2008 as the cost of two Iraq wars at least.

(34) Anecdotal evidence and case law corroborate the belief that most corporate human rights abuses occur in the developing world. See, e.g., Doe I v. Unocal Corp., 395 F.3d 932, 937-39 (9th Cir. 2002); Evan Clark, “Advocacy Group Finds Violations at Bangladesh Apparel Factory”, Women's Wear Daily, Oct. 26, 2006, at 14.

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(41) ld. at 1139.

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(82) In the fall of 2008, for example, the IMF only has one country as a client, Turkey, instead of several as in the recent past.

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