Discuss globalization and how it has increased transnational crime.

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Globalization refers to the process of creating transnational markets and political and legal systems and has shifted the focus of crime from a local to a world perspective. Globalization began when large companies decided to establish themselves in foreign markets by adapting their products or services to the local culture. As the Internet and communication revolution unfolded, companies were able to establish instant communications with their far-flung corporate empires. While globalization can improve the standard of living in third-world nations by providing jobs and training, it can also be a device for criminal cartels to avoid prosecution and regulation while expanding their markets and profits and creating more opportunities for criminal activity. With money and power to spare, organized crime groups can recruit new members, bribe government officials, and even fund private armies. Transnational organized crime has globalized its activities for the same reasons that legitimate multinational corporations have expanded around the world: new markets bring new sources of profits. Illicit enterprises can take advantage of these new economic circumstances thanks to the communications and international transportation revolution-things like efficient and widespread commercial airline traffic, improvements in telecommunications, and the growth of international trade. The cultural shift produced by globalization often means less local government intervention and regulation. These conditions are exploited by crime groups who travel to regions where they cannot be extradited; they base their operations in countries with ineffective or corrupt law enforcement and launder their money in countries with bank secrecy or few effective controls.