Jonathan D. Rosen

History of Crime and Violence

This chapter traces the history of crime and violence and their interaction in the formulation of sophisticated, global illicit markets. It conceptualizes violence as an important tool of the underworld to enforce contracts, eliminate rivals, communicate and, ultimately, to coerce others. The chapter highlights specific cases such as the history of prohibition, the Italian-American mafia, and other organized criminal groups, to demonstrate the use of violence in the criminal underworld. It also explores new, technological developments in the criminal landscape, such as the use of the Dark Web and Bitcoin.

Fragile States, Corruption, and Crime

This chapter focuses on the global superstructure and states that facilitate demand and supply. Looking specifically at weak and fragile states of the international system, the chapter illustrates the role of corruption, underdevelopment, and political/institutional weakness that enable global crime and violence. Some fragile states produce the goods and services (e.g., drugs) that are then marketed and ultimately sold to other countries. This means the United States and states of the European Union are the target of illicit suppliers; and as long as people in those states demand those goods, organized criminal networks will thrive. The chapter encourages more coordination through already established regimes like Interpol.

Gangs and Counter-Gang Strategies

This chapter focuses on gangs and counter-gang strategies and how they have contributed to violence. It begins with a conceptualization of gangs. After an examination of the different elements that constitute a gang, the chapter discusses the structure of gangs, focusing on the differences between vertical and horizontal structures. It then turns to an examination of Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13) and the 18th Street gangs. It analyzes the origins of these organizations and the different factors that resulted in the expansion of these street gangs throughout Central America. The chapter focuses on the role of tough on crime strategies as well as the consequences of such initiatives. Next, it explores the relationship between Central American street gang members and the penitentiary system. It also explores the relationship between these gangs and the United States and analyzes the policies of the current administration. The chapter concludes with some policy recommendations.

Understanding the Nature of Violence: Crime and Its Future

This chapter explores the nature and types of violence the world suffers from today. Physical acts of violence such as war and terrorism, structural violence like poverty and economic deprivation, and violence against women and children, including sexual abuse, are examined. The chapter sees violence as an act of communication by various groups (e.g., organized crime groups), as they seek to convey some message to the world. For instance, criminal groups can use violence to scare rivals and intimidate citizens from reporting corrupt acts to the police or journalists from publishing stories about illicit activities. The chapter concludes by questioning if we will ever see the end of violence.

Trends in Drug Trafficking and Organized Crime

This chapter examines the trends in drug trafficking and organized crime. It begins with an analysis of the case of drug trafficking and organized crime in Colombia, which has played a crucial role in the drug trafficking supply-chain. Colombia also has been a critical ally of the United States in its war on drugs. The US government, for example, invested billions of dollars trying to increase security in this country and combat organized crime through an initiative known as Plan Colombia. What have been the results of such efforts? The chapter then turns to drug trafficking and organized crime in Mexico, focusing on the militarization of the war on drugs. It examines the nature of drug cartels and organized crime in Mexico, focusing on how such organizations have evolved over time. The chapter then explores the relationship between Mexico and the United States and evaluates the role of strategies such as the Merida Initiative. Next, the chapter turns to the issue of human trafficking and examines the role that organized crime groups play in this enterprise. The chapter concludes with an analysis of what constitutes success as well as some potential future challenges.

General Trends in Drug Trafficking and Organized Crime on a Global Scale

This chapter examines the trends in drug trafficking and organized crime, focusing on the evolution of organized crime. While some of the actors have changed and the world has evolved, there are some trends across time, particularly in the policy realm in terms of which policies have been effective and which have been less effective. Moreover, drug trafficking organizations present challenges not only for state security but also for regional security as a result of the violent tactics that some organizations employ.

Arms Trafficking: Small Arms and WMDs

There are 875 million small arms in the world, and the majority—650 million—are owned by civilians. Of the civilian stockpile, gangs have an estimated two to ten million arms. Moreover, non-state armed groups have between 1.1 and 1.8 million arms. Law enforcement has 26 million arms, while the armed forces have 200 million arms. This chapter is an effort to examine the trends in arms, particularly the trafficking in small weapons and WMDs.

Organized Crime and Drug Trafficking in the Americas: Trends and Challenges

It is not possible to examine trends in organized crime and drug trafficking without exploring the changing dynamics in the Latin American drug trade. The US government has spent billions of dollars on counter-narcotics initiatives, such as Plan Colombia and the Merida Initiative, to combat the supply and trafficking of drugs entering the United States from Latin America. This chapter examines the major trends in organized crime and drug trafficking in the region. It also focuses on the connection between Latin American countries and the United States, which is the number one drug-consuming country in the world. This chapter analyzes the evolution of organized crime over time. The result of counter-drug policies has been a splintering of organized criminal groups into smaller organizations that are harder to combat.

Illicit Superstructures: Banking, Middlemen, and Transport

In our complicated world, we must begin to dissect the manner in which illicit goods make their way around the world. We must also try to understand how these groups manage to hide/wash their money from law enforcement and the government. It is important to understand why, after more than 40 years since Nixon declared the war on drugs, drugs still manage to find their way into the United States not to mention other consumer-countries around the world. This chapter will discuss features of the international system that allow for the proliferation of illicit goods around the globe.

Human and Organ Trafficking

Human trafficking is a