Globalisation and crime

What is globalisation?

The increasing interconnectedness of societies.

What types of crime have emerged as a result of globalisation?

• Drugs trade,

• terrorism,

• cyber crime.

How is the drugs trade related to globalisation?

The drug trade has grown exponentially due to globalisation. Drugs can be cultivated in developing countries at little cost, then sold to the western world at high prices. Moreover, the ease of transport, communication, and money transfer have made it easier for the drugs to be transported across the world to their target markets.

How is terrorism related to globalisation?

Globalisation has helped the expansion of terrorism. For example, technological and communication advancements have allowed for international terrorism and online radicalisation.

How is cyber crime related to globalisation?

Cybercrime has emerged as a new form of criminal activity due to globalisation. For example, cyber deception and theft, pornography, cyber trespass, and cyber violence.

What theories suggest globalisation has led to a rise in crime?

• Global criminal economy,

• risk consciousness,

• inequality of capitalism.

How does the idea of a global criminal economy suggest globalisation has led to a rise in crime?

Castells suggests that globalisation involves the development of networks that cut across national boundaries. This means there are now complex interconnections between a range of criminal networks, such as the American Mafia and Russian Mafia.

How does the idea of risk consciousness suggest globalisation has led to a rise in crime?

Beck suggests that the process of globalisation has led to a mentality of ‘risk consciousness’ where risk is seen as global. For example, immigration has given rise to anxieties among populations in Western countries about the risk of crime. The media may create moral panics, often fuelled by politicians. This leads to hate crimes against minorities.

How does the idea that capitalism is unequal suggest globalisation has led to rise in crime?

Taylor suggests that globalisation has created greater inequality and rising crime through how it has given free rein to market forces. This has allowed transnational corporations to switch manufacturing to low wage countries, producing job insecurity, unemployment, and poverty. Widening inequality encourages people, particularly the working class, to commit crime because lack of legitimate job opportunities causes the unemployed to look for illegitimate ones, such as the drugs trade. Moreover, Lash and Urry suggest elite groups are given criminal opportunities. For example, the deregulation of financial markets has created opportunity for the movement of funds around the globe to avoid taxation.

What ways can it be suggested that globalisation hasn’t led to a rise in crime?

• Awareness of risk,

• international cooperation,

• ‘new’ crimes have existed for centuries.

How does risk awareness suggest that globalisation hasn’t led to a rise in crime?

Beck’s idea of ‘risk society’ can have positive effects. For example, countries are more aware of risks created by globalisation, meaning they can attempt to produce global or at least international systems of justice, such as international courts.

How does international cooperation increasing suggest globalisation hasn’t led to a rise in crime?

Globalisation has led to the possibility of international agreements. For example, extradition means countries can agree to send criminals back to the country where they committed their crimes for prosecution.

How does the fact that most of the ‘new’ crimes have existed for centuries suggest that globalisation hasn’t led to a rise in crime?

Crimes such as the drug trade and human trafficking have existed for centuries.