Types of Global Crime

What is globalisation?

• Globalisation describes the greater interconnectedness of nations in the contemporary era- coming together to form a global society

• Many benefits of globalisation include the ability to work, travel and be influenced by other nations, but it has also increased the amounts and types of crime committed

What are features of crime?

• Globalisation has many features that have influenced the types of crime committed

• Increased travel and the growth of communications networks

• Spread of capitalists’ ideologies

• Influence of media

• Threats to national security

What are types of global crime?

• Trafficking- arms, people, drugs, counterfeit goods

• Organised crime

• Corporate crime

• Green crime

• Cybercrime

• State crime and human rights violations

What is trafficking?

Transport of goods and people across borders illegally

What are examples of trafficking?

• The fall of communism and the creation of supra-national states such as the EU has allowed greater freedom of movement

• Increased and cheaper air travel along with cuts to border control staff have created opportunities for trafficking

What is organised crime?

Growth of organised crime, particularly in former Soviet states after the collapse of consumerism

What are examples of organised crime?

• Former secret service agents (e.g. KGB) no longer employed by the state but engaged in organised crime

• Access to resources, contacts and skills to create global criminal networks

What are corporate crimes?

Deregulation of markets and free trade have allowed many transnational companies to set up globally

What are examples of corporate crimes?

• The movement of production to low-wage economies has also meant less scrutiny of business practices

• Employment practices, health and safety concerns and environmental issues have arisen as TNCs grow

What is green crime?

Growth of environmental damage as TNCs spread production further away from consumers

What are examples of green crimes?

• Increased air travel and industrialisation of the developing world have led to a climate crisis

• Declining natural resources exhausted by over-consumption in the global age

What is cyber crime?

The growth of internet and mobile technologies has led to an increase in the amount of cybercrime

What are examples of cyber crimes?

• Greater connectivity with other nations also means greater access for global criminals

• Increases in fraud, identity theft, cyber-trespass and restoration

What are state crimes and human rights violations?

Globalisation has increased awareness of state crimes and human rights violations through the media

What are examples of state crimes and human rights violations?

• The influence of cultural globalisation has led to resistance in the form of terrorism- often state-sponsored

• Greater awareness of different cultures has led people to question universal human rights and challenge violations