After cold war, new patterns of conflicts emerged, most of them regional or intra – state conflicts (Stohl 2005). In these conflicts small arms were the dominant weapons, often purchased and supplied in an international black market, one that traffics 250 – 300 Millions illegal small arms (Jane´s Terrorism & Security Monitor 2006). To fulfil the pretensions of this enormous market, trans-national crime organizations established highly sophisticated purposive networks throughout the globe that became rather successful, being able to “exploit international channels, systems and infrastructure where they already exist and are equally quick to create new ones” (Stohl 2004, p. 21).
Globalization, considered as “processes through which sovereign national states are crisscrossed and undermined by trans-national actors” (Beck 2000, p. 101) has had a tremendous effect on the illicit markets and in special on the illicit small arms trade. In the following this paper will argue, that by creation of international networks in order to exploit international sources and new emerging markets, illicit small arms trade became a global business in the last decades (Stohl 2004, p. 21). It will also analyze how globalization processes contributed to this development by opening up new perspectives for international acting crime groups. A focus will be laid on major sources for illicit arms and the analysis of major causes for the global expansion of illicit trade in small arms during the last 20 years.
Table of Contents
1. Assignment 1 Essay
2. Globalization and the Illicit Small Arms Trade
3. Sources of Illicit Small Arms
4. Globalized Networks of Criminal Organizations
5. The Impact of Economic and Political Globalization on Criminal Networks
6. Weaknesses in International Law Enforcement
Research Objectives and Themes
This essay explores how globalization has transformed the illicit small arms trade by enabling criminal organizations to establish sophisticated, flexible, and international networks that exploit weak state authorities and modern infrastructure.
- The impact of globalization on illicit international markets.
- Primary sources and supply chains of illegal small arms globally.
- The formation and operational structure of transnational criminal networks.
- The role of corrupt state officials and weak governance in arming non-state actors.
- Challenges for international law enforcement in cross-border crime investigation.
Excerpt from the Book
The Tangled Web of Illicit Arms Trafficking
After cold war, new patterns of conflicts emerged, most of them regional or intra – state conflicts (Stohl 2005). In these conflicts small arms were the dominant weapons, often purchased and supplied in an international black market, one that traffics 250 – 300 Millions illegal small arms (Jane´s Terrorism & Security Monitor 2006). To fulfil the pretensions of this enormous market, trans-national crime organizations established highly sophisticated purposive networks throughout the globe that became rather successful, being able to “exploit international channels, systems and infrastructure where they already exist and are equally quick to create new ones” (Stohl 2004, p. 21).
Globalization, considered as “processes through which sovereign national states are criss crossed and undermined by trans-national actors” (Beck 2000, p. 101) has had a tremendous effect on the illicit markets and in special on the illicit small arms trade. In the following this paper will argue, that by creation of international networks in order to exploit international sources and new emerging markets, illicit small arms trade became a global business in the last decades (Stohl 2004, p. 21). It will also analyze how globalization processes contributed to this development by opening up new perspectives for international acting crime groups. A focus will be laid on major sources for illicit arms and the analysis of major causes for the global expansion of illicit trade in small arms during the last 20 years.
Summary of Chapters
1. Assignment 1 Essay: Sets the academic scope and research framework, introducing Galeotti's perspective on criminal evolution through globalization.
2. Globalization and the Illicit Small Arms Trade: Analyzes how global integration and weakened state authority post-Cold War fueled the expansion of illicit weapons markets.
3. Sources of Illicit Small Arms: Identifies three major sources, including the looting of state arsenals and state-sponsored weapon pipelines to non-state actors.
4. Globalized Networks of Criminal Organizations: Explores how criminal entities share information and resources to reduce risks and maximize profit across borders.
5. The Impact of Economic and Political Globalization on Criminal Networks: Discusses how liberalized trade, open borders, and transportation infrastructure have inadvertently facilitated illicit arms trafficking.
6. Weaknesses in International Law Enforcement: Addresses the failure of traditional legal frameworks and institutions to counter agile, transnational criminal structures.
Keywords
Globalisation, Organized Crime, Small Arms Trade, Transnational Networks, Illicit Markets, Arms Trafficking, State Weakness, Criminal Entrepreneurs, Law Enforcement, Security, Conflict, Proliferation, Corruption, Border Controls, International Trade.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core subject of this paper?
The paper examines the evolution of organized crime, specifically focusing on the transnational illicit small arms trade and its expansion through globalized networks.
What are the central themes of the work?
The central themes include the impact of economic globalization on illicit markets, the structural changes in criminal organizations, and the inability of states to effectively control the flow of illegal weaponry.
What is the primary research goal?
The goal is to discuss Galeotti’s quotation regarding criminal evolution by analyzing how international crime groups exploit global channels to create flexible, profitable weapon supply chains.
Which scientific methodology is employed?
The paper utilizes a qualitative analysis based on a review of international literature, security reports, and case studies concerning global small arms trafficking.
What is covered in the main body of the work?
The main body covers the sources of illicit arms, the development of criminal networking, the role of corrupt state officials, and the challenges faced by international law enforcement agencies.
Which keywords characterize the work?
Key terms include globalization, transnational crime, small arms, illicit markets, criminal networks, and law enforcement.
How did the collapse of states impact arms availability?
The collapse of authoritarian states, such as Albania in 1997, led to the looting of national arsenals, which flooded regional and international markets with illegal weapons.
What role does the arms dealer Victor Bout play in the analysis?
Victor Bout is used as a case study to illustrate how traffickers utilize sophisticated transportation networks and front companies to stay one step ahead of international law enforcement.
Why is international law enforcement struggling to combat these networks?
Traditional law enforcement is bound by national borders, whereas criminal networks are flexible and operate across jurisdictions, exploiting legal loopholes and a lack of international consensus.
- Quote paper
- MSc. M.A. Robert Fiedler (Author), 2008, Transnational Crime Networks, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/163717
