Postmodernism and globalisation

• Postmodernism

  social causes of crime are undiscoverable as each crime is a one off event and crime is a lifestyle choice where individuals express whichever identity they choose.

  Katz and Lyng- individuals commit crime for excitement and thrills that they get from risk taking and living on the edge. This is likely to appeal to young people, especially WC men.


  AO3

  Postmodernism recognises there are other dimensions to crime and offers an explanation for non-utilitarian crime. It doesn’t explain why most people don’t use their powers to harm others.
• The global criminal economy

  Globalisation has increased travel, making smuggling illegal products much easier. It includes trafficking body parts, women, children, drugs and weapons. A reason for the scale of transnational organised crime is the demand for its products and services in the rich west. Columbia manufactures the majority of the world cocaine and 20% of the population population depend on cocaine for their livelihood. 


  AO3

  Feminists- globalisation is a catalyst for more crimes to be committed against women as there are patriarchal undertones
• Globalisation, capitalism and crime

  transnational corporations operate in global markets, moving money, manufacturing, staff and waste around the globe to countries where profits are higher and labour costs are lower. Taylor- this process has led to fewer job opportunities, more job insecurity, unemployment, and poverty in developing countries. eg Rishi Sunak’s wife evading £20m in tax.


  AO3

  The global drug trade creates criminal opportunities for bouncers at a local level to deal and take drugs while still being legally paid.
• Globalisation and the development of new technology

  globalisation has led to development of new technology which has led to new crimes taking place online. Ross Ulbricht- sentenced to life in prison for creating a website for people to buy and sell drugs and weapons anonymously. Cybercrime is difficult to police as there is confusion over whose jurisdiction a crime is and police don’t have the funding to prioritise it.


  AO3

  Globalisation can reduce crime as new information and communication technology provides the police with greater opportunities for surveillance and population control
• Globalisation and organised crime

  globalisation has created a platform for organised criminal networks that work on a global scale. Glenny- criminal organisations emerged after the fall of communism as there was a deregulation of global markets. Old state controlled industries such as oil and gas were sold off at rock bottom prices. This meant people could sell them abroad at an astronomical profit creating a capitalist class overnight.


  AO3

  Organised crime is difficult to eliminate because they’re able to protect themselves through a combination of political contributors and violence.
• Global risk consciousness

  Beck- people are more risk conscious and fearful of things like losing their jobs or having their identities stolen. The causes of these risks are often located globally and it’s not always easy to identify who is responsible. Knowledge comes from media which is often exaggerated. This can fuel hate crimes where people are attacked or abused because of their ethnicity or religion or other features which mark them as different. 


  AO3

  Globalisation can unite countries United Nations- maintain international peace and security between nations.