Preprint West African Criminal Networks
Drugs and migrants are, however, just two of the numerous illicit activities that feed the growth of local and transnational criminal organizations, and the establishing of a culture of quick and easy money that is progressively eroding the foundations of any sustainable and well balanced socio‐economic development. The pervasive power of the corruption of criminal organizations, coupled with a general crisis by state actors in the administration of justice and enforcement of the rule of law, contribute towards the progressive diminishing of the credibility of the state as the institution entrusted with the prerogatives of guaranteeing security.
This is a matter of the dominating materialistic value system; criminals share these consumerist values, but are not able (neither by economic heritage nor by professional education) to obtain the desired material living standard. Thus, they turn underground and backyard by all accessible means (drugs, weapons, prostitution, money laundering, targeted killing,...). Just think back at the rise of the 'wild East', since the opening of borders in Europe.
Do not forget sexual harassment, domestic violent and corruption among our major problems in Africa.
Hi Artur, it would be somewhat easier for me to give a comment if you publish the whole book, than I can read all chapters in only one moment. Your questions and answers are stimulating, also in this case. As far as I know (1) in US-America the quote of violence and crime were and are much higher as in Europe, this show also statistical comparisons in the 19th century. Provably this has to do neither with the immigrants groups (mafia of Italy is a special case here) nor with the invention of the colt, but with socio-oeconomic factors. There exist special sociologic-historical investigations. See Kuala Lumpur - no crime (as far as I hear)
Best HEIN.
If a systems developed foundations are sustainable and well balanced socially and economically why would illicit or criminal activity arise?
Just a thought
Immertreu and Redlichkeit! They were very stong in Berlin(1930s). @hein
Hi Stephen.
When I search "Immertreu and Redlichkeit" I only get " Üb immer Treu' und Redlichkeit " as a return. For the lesser enlightened could you please clarify.
W.D.
Dear Artur Victoria
There are other criminal acts derived from the Criminal Networks, apart from Drugs and Migrants, which at the moment are those that have more media relevance, however, there is more. Below I mention only some that have already been identified in my country Mexico:
- White Woman Abduction generally of women for the purpose of dedicating them to the business of prostitution.
- Kidnapping of people to ask rescue in money to the relatives
- Pedophilia, with the creation of pornographic networks on the Deep Internet, with circulation of videos of sexual abuse in children.
- Kidnapping of people in order to obtain tissues and organs for transplants
- Theft of data via Internet and telecommunications, with those who "hack" people's bank accounts, or impersonate their identity for various illicit purposes.
- Incorporation into politics to handle various illicit acts with greater ease and impunity, from influence peddling, corruption, management of criminal networks from the power centers of municipalities and states.
- Scam via telephone, simulating being relatives to obtain information and virtual kidnappings.
- Threats of kidnapping, or request for payment to commercial establishments; apparently to provide them protection from other criminal gangs.
- Etc...
regards Jose Luis
@W.D. Noganosh
It was a famous criminal gang in Berlin, named cynically after the song that you cited. I am in agreement with your question: criminality can be understood as a social 'disease'.
Dear Dr. Artur Victoria,
In India, beyond two dimensions mentioned by you, several other illicit activities feed into local and transnational criminal organizations. These include:
1. Terrorism - especially sponsored by a neighbouring State
2. Arms and Ammunition Smuggling
3. Counterfeit Currency
4. Human Trafficking & Prostitution
5. Illicit Liquor
6. Illegal Gambling Dens
7. Organ Trading
8. Smuggling of Antique Items
9. Land Grabbing, Forgery of Papers
10. Fake Products/Items
The list is exhaustive, if not endless.
Please also consider that the Nation is enormous with a population recorded as 1.21 Billion in 2011 Census and comprising of multiple heterogeneity and multitude of developmental challenges.
Regards
Can we count the growing presence of alternative (psuedo?) religious/spiritual networks, as a social problem that competes/questions the legitimacy/legality of the State and threatens the ability of the State to fulfill its developmental agenda (through propaganda of falsehood/ non scientific data), as something similar in effects to that caused by organized criminal networks?
These entities have pan national reach and access to resources and are often a convenient facade for criminal/illegitimate activities.
Crime is a symptom and not a cause of societal afflictions. Modern isolation has destroyed the social fabric of society. We need to contemplate why we fail to have higher purpose governing our lives. If the people are not satisfied in their basic needs criminality will come. Prison is part of the issue and in no way represents a solution. Indeed prisons are part of the system that breeds criminality. We need to shift our paradigms as the governing ones are not working.
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