Globalisation and crime Flashcards
Crime and globalisation:
How does globalisation cause crime? e.g. the global criminal economy (use sociologist)
Globalisation has contributed to the growth of the global criminal economy, where criminal activities transcend national borders, exploiting global trade and technology.
Castells (1998) discusses the development of a “network society,” where criminal groups use the interconnectedness of the world to engage in illicit activities such as human trafficking, drug trade, and cybercrime. The ease of international travel and digital platforms makes it easier for criminal organizations to conduct business on a global scale, making enforcement and control more challenging.
For instance, the global drug trade is estimated to be worth over $400 billion annually, and the internet provides a vast platform for online fraud, making crime more complex and widespread.
Crime and globalisation:
How does globalisation cause crime? e.g. globalisation, capitalism and crime (use sociologist)
Marxist sociologists Harvey (1990), globalisation has deepened capitalist exploitation, contributing to higher levels of crime, especially among marginalized groups. As multinational corporations expand their operations globally, they often exploit cheaper labor in developing countries, exacerbating social inequality.
These inequalities can fuel crime, as those on the margins of society, lacking legitimate opportunities, may turn to illegal activities for survival. For example, in countries with large wealth gaps, like Brazil, there has been a significant rise in gang violence and drug trafficking as a direct response to poverty and lack of opportunity.
Crime and globalisation:
How does globalisation cause crime? e.g. patterns of criminal organisation (use sociologist)
Globalisation has also led to the development of more sophisticated and multinational criminal organisations. Friedrichs (2007) highlights how criminal networks now span multiple countries, engaging in activities like arms trafficking, human trafficking, and money laundering.
These groups use global trade routes and financial systems to carry out their operations, often operating with minimal interference from national governments. For instance, the Italian Mafia, Mexican drug cartels, and other transnational groups are deeply integrated into the global economy, facilitating criminal activities across borders and exploiting weaknesses in international law enforcement cooperation.
Key word:
What is green crime?
Green crime refers to illegal activities that harm the environment or wildlife.
Green crime:
What are the reasons for why green crime happens? e.g. global risk society and the environment (use sociologist) - Beck
Beck suggests that the growth of global capitalism and the rise of consumerism lead to environmental destruction, which creates new risks such as climate change, pollution, and the depletion of natural resources. These risks are not just local; they affect entire ecosystems and populations across borders.
As a result, green crimes, such as illegal deforestation, pollution, and wildlife trafficking, occur because corporations or individuals exploit environmental resources for profit without consideration of long-term harm to the planet or society.
Green crime:
What are the reasons for why green crime happens? e.g. green criminology (use sociologist)
White (2008) emphasizes that crimes against the environment, such as illegal waste disposal, poaching, and pollution, often go unpunished because they are not always recognized as “criminal” by mainstream legal systems.
Traditional criminology tends to focus on individual deviance or street-level crime, while green criminology argues that environmental harm is often the result of larger societal structures, such as corporate greed, industrial practices, and weak regulations.
e.g. the illegal dumping of toxic waste by multinational corporations often involves the violation of environmental laws, but these acts are often underreported or dismissed in favor of economic interests.
Green crime:
What are the types of green crime? e.g. primary green crimes
Primary green crimes are those that directly harm the environment.
Crimes of Air Pollution: Industrial activities, vehicle emissions, or the burning of fossil fuels that release harmful pollutants into the atmosphere, contributing to global warming and climate change.
Crimes of Deforestation: Illegal logging and land clearance for agriculture or urbanization, leading to the destruction of forests and the loss of biodiversity.
Green crime:
What are the types of green crime? e.g. secondary green crime
These crimes involve the state using force to suppress groups or individuals opposing environmental harm.
Hazardous Waste: Crimes involving the illegal disposal, dumping, or mishandling of hazardous waste causing significant harm to ecosystems and human health.
Organised Crime: Organized crime groups often engage in illegal environmental activities for profit. These activities contribute to environmental degradation and biodiversity loss while benefiting from high profits.
Criticisms:
What are criticisms of green criminology? (use sociologist)
Green criminology is criticized for being too vague, as it lacks clear definitions and makes it hard to apply consistently in research. Some critics, like White (2008), argue that it focuses too much on individual actions and ignores the bigger role of corporations and governments in causing environmental harm.
Traditional criminologists also argue that green criminology lacks solid evidence and measurable data, making it less scientific. Walters (2015) say it doesn’t focus enough on the economic and political reasons behind environmental damage.
Key word:
What are state crimes?
State crimes are illegal actions committed by government officials or institutions that harm individuals or society. This can include things like torture, corruption, or violating human rights.
State crimes:
Case studies of state crimes e.g. genocide in Rwanda (use sociologist)
The Rwandan genocide is considered a state crime because the government organized and supported the mass killing of Tutsis.
Cohen’s theory suggests that state power can be used to control populations, even through violent means. In Rwanda, the government used state resources to spread propaganda and incite hatred against the Tutsi minority. The state’s direct involvement in the genocide highlights the role of governments in committing large-scale atrocities.
State crimes:
Case studies of state crimes e.g. state-corporate crime (use sociologist)
Kauzlarich and Kramer explain state-corporate crime as crimes committed by the collaboration between the state and corporations, as seen in the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. In this case, BP’s corporate interests led to dangerous practices, and the government failed to enforce safety regulations.
Their research shows that when state power and corporate motives align, it can lead to criminal behavior that harms people and the environment. This situation demonstrates how state and corporate entities can share responsibility for disastrous outcomes.
Key word:
What does zemiology mean?
Zemiology is the study of social harm, looking at how actions or behaviors hurt individuals or communities, even if they’re not technically illegal. It focuses on understanding harm beyond just crime, including things like pollution or exploitation.
State crimes:
How do you define state crimes e.g. social harms and zemiology (use sociologist)
South - State crimes can be understood as acts that cause social harm, even if they are not always legally defined as crimes. South’s concept of zemiology focuses on social harm, which includes environmental damage, exploitation, and human rights violations that are often overlooked in legal definitions.
In this perspective, state crimes are seen as harmful actions by the government that impact people’s well-being and safety. It highlights the need to broaden the understanding of crime beyond legal definitions to include harm caused by state actions.
State crimes:
How do you define state crimes e.g. labelling and societal reaction (use sociologist)
State crimes can also be understood through the lens of labelling theory, as proposed by Howard Becker. According to this theory, an act is not inherently criminal but becomes criminal when society labels it as such.
In the case of state crimes, the government may label certain actions as acceptable or necessary (such as military actions or political repression), even if they cause harm. Becker’s perspective emphasizes how societal reactions and the power dynamics involved in labeling define what is considered a crime.
State crimes:
How do you define state crimes e.g. human rights (use sociologist)
Rothe and Mullins argue that human rights violations, such as genocide. These actions are committed by governments in violation of international laws that protect individuals’ rights to life, liberty, and security. State crimes are those that directly harm people’s fundamental human rights and freedoms, often done under the guise of state authority.
State crimes:
What are the reasons for state crimes happening? e.g. the authoritarian personality (use sociologist)
Adorno argues that individuals with authoritarian personalities are more likely to obey authority figures and conform to oppressive ideologies.
In states where authority figures hold absolute power, individuals with these personalities may become complicit in committing or supporting state crimes, such as torture or political repression.
This theory suggests that authoritarian attitudes can create a society where people are more willing to accept and even participate in harmful state actions.
State crimes:
What are the reasons for state crimes happening? e.g. crimes of obedience (use sociologist)
Kelman and Hamilton’s suggests that people often commit state crimes because they are conditioned to follow orders without questioning the morality of their actions.
This theory highlights how, within a hierarchical structure, individuals may commit crimes simply because they are told to do so by those in power, thereby avoiding personal responsibility for the harm caused.
Criticisms:
What are some criticisms of defining state crime? (use sociologist)
Green and Ward argue that the concept is often too broad, as it can include anything from human rights violations to government corruption, making it difficult to identify and categorize specific acts as crimes. This lack of clear boundaries can lead to inconsistency in how state crimes are defined and investigated.
