Topic 8 - Globalisation, Green crime, Human rights and State crime Flashcards
(30 cards)
1
Q
what are the causes of globalisation ?
A
- New information and communication technologies
- Global mass media influence.
- Cheap air travel.
- Opening up markets to more competition.
- Easier global movement of businesses for higher profits.
2
Q
how has crime become globalised ?
A
- Crime has also become globalised, just like legal activities.
- New opportunities, methods, and types of crime have emerged (e.g. cyber-crimes).
- Castells Says global criminal economy is worth over £1 trillion per year and that it includes a wide range of criminal activities:
3
Q
what are some examples of global crime ?
A
- Smuggling of legal goods (e.g. alcohol, tobacco) to avoid taxes, and stolen goods (e.g. cars).
- Money laundering – organised crime profits laundered up to $1.5 trillion per year
- Green crimes – like illegal toxic waste dumping in poor countries
4
Q
what does globalisation bring ?
A
- brings new global-level insecurities and a new mindset of “risk consciousness”.
- For example the increased movement of people (economic migrants and asylum seekers) causes fear in Western populations about crime, disorder, and border security.
- Fears may not be rational – much of our knowledge comes from the media, which often exaggerates dangers
- The media and politicians often fuel moral panics about immigration for example portraying immigrants as terrorists
- Consequences include hate crimes against minorities across Europe, including the UK.
- Another outcome is stricter national social control, for example UK fines airlines for bringing undocumented passengers
5
Q
What does Taylor argue ?
A
- says globalisation changes crime patterns and levels.
- Market forces unleashed by globalisation lead to greater inequality and more crime
6
Q
According to Taylor how does Globalisation help the rich commit crime ?
A
- Globalisation helps rich people and companies commit big crimes more easily, especially through money and job systems that are harder for governments to control.
- Deregulated financial markets (meaning: money systems with few rules): Let rich people do insider trading (buy/sell shares using secret info). And let people and companies move money secretly around the world to avoid paying tax.
- Transnational organisations (like the EU): Some people cheat the system and make fake claims to get billions in subsidies (free money from the government meant to help with things like farming or business).
- New types of jobs created by globalisation: Many companies now use subcontracting (hiring smaller businesses or workers) because their cheaper to use
- This can lead to hiring illegal or very underpaid workers.
7
Q
According to Taylor how does globalisation make poor people more likely to commit crime ?
A
- because the economy is working against them.
- Big companies move factories to poorer countries where wages are lower. This causes job losses in richer countries
- Governments can’t control the economy well anymore and cut back on benefits and welfare.
- Society is more focused on buying things (consumerism) and being individualistic. People feel pressure to look successful — but without the means to do it.
- people who are poor, jobless, or feel left behind may turn to crime to survive or feel successful.
- For example in Los Angeles, factories shut down and as a result people formed gangs and now it had 10,000 gang members
8
Q
what are glocal organisations ?
A
- Identified by Hobbs and Dunningham
- Is where crime is shaped by both local context and global connections
- Example: Even if drugs come from abroad, selling them still depends on local networks.
- Crime today is often run by flexible, loose networks rather than old-style, rigid gangs.
- But It’s unclear if this is truly new or if both styles always co-existed.
- Their findings might not apply to all areas or types of crime.
9
Q
What do Rothe and Friedrichs focus on ?
A
- Focus on international financial organisations like the:
IMF (International Monetary Fund) and World Bank - These organisations are controlled by rich capitalist countries
- They give loans to poor countries, but only if those countries agree to: Cut health and education funding and privatise public services (like water, energy, schools)
- These are called “structural adjustment programmes” very pro-capitalist.
- This is a problem because these policies hurt poor people and create conditions for crime.
- For example in Rwanda the IMF programmes caused mass unemployment and this poverty helped trigger the 1994 genocide
10
Q
What does Glanny identify ?
A
- Another example of the relationship between criminal organisation and globalisation, which is called McMafia
- Which refers to the organisations that emerged in Russia and Eastern Europe following the fall of communism
- Glenny notes that After 1989, the Soviet Union broke up. The Russian government deregulated the economy, meaning: Most things were sold at world prices
- BUT natural resources (oil, gas, diamonds, etc.) stayed super cheap.
- Ex-KGB officials and communist leaders bought these resources cheaply and sold them abroad for huge profits. They became the new oligarchs (super-rich businessmen).
- After the collapse of the state, chaos increased, so rich people needed protection. They turned to new mafia groups (often ex-KGB)
- These new mafias were not family-based like old Italian/American ones. Instead, they acted like brands:
- Groups could buy the Chechen mafia name and use it elsewhere.
- These mafias helped Russia’s rich move money overseas safely. They also built international links with other criminal networks.
11
Q
what is green crime ?
A
- Green crime involves harming the environment.
- Globalisation connects countries more, so damage in one place can affect others.
- E.g. Air pollution in one country can cause acid rain in another.
12
Q
What does Beck argue ?
A
- In modern times, most dangers we face are human-made, not natural.
- E.g. Global warming caused by industrial pollution.
- Beck calls this a “global risk society” because: Risks like climate change affect the whole planet, not just one area.
- For example in Russia heatwaves destroyed grain crops → grain exports banned.
13
Q
What are the 2 views on Green crime ?
A
- Traditional Criminology which only focuses on actions that break the law. If pollution is legal, it’s not a crime under this view. However it accepts laws made by powerful groups for example big businesses and may ignore the real harm
- Green Criminology, Focuses on harm, not law. If it harms humans, animals, or the planet, it’s a crime even if it’s legal. Many harmful acts (like massive pollution) aren’t illegal but still cause great damage. This is called transgressive criminology (goes beyond the usual limits). Also known as zemiology = the study of harms.
14
Q
what are the problems with laws according to criminologists ?
A
- Different countries have different environmental laws.
- So the same act could be a crime in one place but legal in another.
- That’s why green criminologists say we should focus on harm, not just what the law says.
15
Q
how is green criminology similar to Marxism ?
A
- Just like Marxists say the rich control the law to protect their own interests
- Green criminologists say powerful groups (like governments and big corporations) decide what counts as “environmental harm” usually in ways that benefit themselves.
16
Q
According to White what are the 2 ways to view harm ?
A
- Anthropocentric view ( Human centered ) , Believes humans are more important than nature. Says it’s okay to use the environment to boost economic growth. This is the view most governments and corporations use
- Ecocentric View (eco-centered), Believes humans and nature are connected, if we harm the environment, we hurt ourselves too. Thinks both people and nature are exploited by capitalism.
17
Q
what is primary green crime according to Nigel South ?
A
- These are direct harms to the environment caused by humans. There are 4 types:
- Air pollution which is caused by burning fuel from cars and factories, which also adds to global warming. Governments, companies and people all play a part and now twice as many people die from breathing
- Deforestation, Trees are destroyed for logging or farming . For example The “war on drugs” in South America led to pesticide spraying that poisoned crops and water.
- Species decline / Animal abuse, 50 species go extinct every day, Illegal trade in animals and animal parts.
Rise in traditional animal cruelty crimes like dog-fighting - Water pollution, 500 million people lack clean drinking water. 25 million die annually from diseases caused by unsafe water
18
Q
What are secondary green crimes ?
A
- crimes that happen when people or governments break rules designed to protect the environment
- For example
- State Violence Against Oppositional Groups, Governments may use illegal violence against activists.
- Hazardous Waste and Organised Crime, Toxic waste (from nuclear, chemical industries) is expensive to dispose of legally. So businesses may illegally dump it to save money.
- Environmental Discrimination, poorer groups suffer more from pollution. Example: In the USA, Black communities often live near garbage dumps or polluting industries.
19
Q
What is evaluation of green criminology ?
A
- Highlights crimes that are often ignored or under-policed.
- However Focuses on “harms” rather than strictly legal crimes.
- Difficult to clearly define what counts as a green crime.
- Relies on moral and political views — it’s based on values, not always objective facts.
20
Q
What is a state crime ?
A
- State crime = illegal or deviant acts committed by or with the approval of state agencies according to Green and Ward
- Includes actions taken by governments or state institutions to advance state policies.
- Does not include personal crimes by state employees (e.g. a bribe taken by a police officer).
21
Q
why is state crime considered very serious ?
A
- Scale of Harm, States have immense power, meaning their crimes can affect millions. Green & Ward: Estimated 262 million people were murdered by governments in the 20th century.
- States Define the Law, States decide what is criminal, enforce laws, and prosecute offenders. This allows them to hide or deny their own crimes, and even not define them as crimes at all. Undermines justice and public trust in the legal system.
22
Q
what are the different types of state crime ?
A
- Political crimes – e.g. corruption, censorship.
- Crimes by security and police – e.g. genocide, torture, disappearances of political opponents.
- Economic crimes – e.g. breaking health and safety laws.
- Social and cultural crimes – e.g. institutional racism.
23
Q
What was the Rwanda genocide ?
A
- Known as the fastest genocide of the 20th century
- Belgians favoured Tutsi minority to control Hutu majority.
- Tutsis & Hutus = not true ethnic groups – same language, intermarriage common; more like social classes.
- Post-independence (1962): Hutus gained power through elections.
- Political and economic crisis → civil war → Hutu hardliners spread race hate.
- Trigger was the shooting down of the Hutu president’s plane in 1994.
- As a result In 100 days, around 800,000 Tutsis and moderate Hutus were killed.
- Mass civilian involvement: many Hutus joined in the genocide out of fear
- The genocide was organised and enabled by the Rwandan government, showing how states can use their power to commit mass murder.
24
Q
what are are the 2 types of state corporate crimes ?
A
- According to Kramer and Michalowski
- State-Initiated Corporate Crime, where state directly initiates, approves, or encourages the corporate crime, For example in 1986, the Challenger disaster with NASA and Morton Thiokal led to an explosion due to risky, cost cutting decisions and it led to 7 astronauts dying within 73 seconds after the launch
- State-Facilitated Corporate Crime tate fails to regulate or control corporate behaviour. For example the 2010 Deep water Horizon oil spill that killed 11 workers and was caused by cost cutting and the failure of the government regulators to intervene
25
what are 2 types of crime ?
- 1. Illegal Wars, Under international law, only the UN Security Council can authorise war (except in self-defence). For example in the Iran War when the US and UK falsesly accused Iraq of having weapons of mass destruction, sociologists such as Kramer and Michalowksi , this was used as justification to invade
- Crimes Committed During and After War, for example the Neo-liberal colonisation of Iraq, Shows how powerful states like the USA can illegally interfere with other nations, reshape their economies for their own benefit, and use war as a way to gain control. This links to state-corporate crime, where governments and big businesses work together to exploit others
26
how does domestic law define state crime ?
- Says state crime = breaking the law as a state official.
- Weakness: Governments make their own laws, so they can make harmful actions legal (like Nazi sterilisation laws).
- Also leads to inconsistencies: same act can be legal in one country and illegal in another.
27
how do social harms and zemiologists define state crime ?
- Says state crime = anything harmful, even if it’s not illegal.
- ✅ Good: Goes beyond just law — includes things like state-created poverty.
- ❌ Problem: Very vague — How much harm counts? Who decides what harm is?
28
how does the labelling theory define state crime ?
- Says state crime = what society or the public labels as crime.
- ✅ Useful for showing that definitions change over time or across cultures.
- ❌ Too vague again — different people might disagree. Plus, media can manipulate public opinion, so this view might be biased by ruling class ideas.
29
What is the Human rights definition of state crime ?
- Schwendingers (1975): State crime = violation of basic human rights (like racism, sexism, exploitation).
- Risse et al (1999): This works because states care about their image and can be shamed into improving.
- This approach is transgressive = goes beyond traditional law and challenges state definitions of crime.
- However critics such as Stanley Cohen: Not all rights violations are clearly crimes (e.g. economic exploitation is morally wrong, but is it criminal?).
30
why did state crimes occur due crimes of obedience ?
- These crimes happen because of conformity, not rebellion.
- People obey orders even if it harms others, especially in systems that: Train them, Isolate them, Dehumanise victims
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