Globalisation and Crime Flashcards
(22 cards)
What is globalisation?
The ongoing process of interconnected changes in economic, cultural, social, and political life worldwide
What is the globalisation of crime (Held)?
Growing interconnectedness of crime across borders—also called transnational organised crime.
How much is the global criminal economy worth (Castells)?
Over £1 trillion per year.
What is the global drugs trade worth?
Over $300 billion annually, mostly cultivated in poorer countries and sold in richer nations.
What is human trafficking?
Trafficking of people for sex, labour, or organs—over half a million trafficked to Western Europe annually.
What are financial crimes?
Crimes like money laundering made easier by relaxed banking laws and offshore accounts.
What is cybercrime?
Crime via the internet (fraud, theft, terrorism) that is transnational and hard to police.
What is transnational organised crime (Glenny – “McMafia”)?
Global crime syndicates formed after market deregulation, e.g., Russian mafia, triads.
How has globalisation affected terrorism?
Easier communication and online radicalisation make international terrorism more effective.
What is the Dark Web’s role in global crime?
Provides anonymity and secure platforms for criminal activity, beyond traditional policing.
Bauman – Individualism and Crime
People weigh costs and benefits of crime in a consumer society, leading to selfish choices and criminal behaviour.
Lash & Urry – Disorganised Capitalism
Deregulation, global corporate movement, job insecurity, and weakened social cohesion increase crime.
Taylor – Inequality
Globalisation increases inequality; elites benefit, workers lose, creating crime due to deprivation and insecurity.
Beck – Risk Society
Global threats (e.g., terrorism, economic crisis) create fear and uncertainty, contributing to hate and fear-based crimes.
Problems with policing global crime
Jurisdiction issues, lack of cooperation, differences in legal systems, and technical challenges.
How does globalisation create opportunity for new crime?
Tech, transport, and communication enable new crimes and allow criminals to act remotely or anonymously.
What is cyber-terrorism?
The use of the internet to carry out terrorism—spreads ideology, recruits, or attacks digital infrastructure.
How does media play into global crime fears?
Media amplifies fear and moral panics about global crime, fuelling xenophobia and harsh policies.
Strength – Focus on Serious Crime
Highlights dramatic, large-scale crimes that affect global security and stability.
Strength – Improved Global Policing
Led to more cooperation between international law enforcement agencies.
Weakness – Difficult to Study
Secretive nature, hard-to-access data, and lack of reliable statistics make research tough.
Weakness – Risk of Exaggeration
Media and academics may overstate the size or threat of globalised crime due to limited evidence.
