Organised Crime

• Organised crime


  Refers to a criminal business that seek to make a profit, have a hierarchy and specialise in illegal fields. They are often globalised because they don't follow the law, so national boundaries are irrelevant.
• Castells - Transnational Organised Crime

  He argues globalisation has led to a huge increase in transnational organised crime, totalling $1 trillion every year. These criminals lack accountants and don't report profits, so this number is an estimate.

  Capitalism and globalisation has created a huge trade in drugs, people and goods around the world.
• McMafia


  Glenny argues that the end of the cold war has led to a change in organised crime.

  • Moving economy from government to private ownership allows Russians to become very wealthy very quickly
  • These wealthy Russians are involved in legal and illegal activities including smuggling
  • The Chechen mafia essentially becomes a franchise, where they open branches around the world
• Marxist Approach


  Taylor argues that globalisation has allowed capitalism to operate on both sides of the law. Essentially the global proletariat produce goods, and the global bourgeoisie consume these goods.