Globalisation and crime — FAQ

Not necessarily. While transnational organised crime (TOC) like drug cartels are a major feature, global crime is a broader category. It also includes crimes committed by individuals (e.g., a lone hacker committing cyber-fraud across borders), corporations (e.g., a TNC illegally dumping waste), and even states (e.g., state-sponsored cyber-attacks or green crimes). The key factor is that the crime transcends national borders in its commission, victimisation, or impact.

Policing global crime is challenging for several reasons. Firstly, there are jurisdictional issues: whose laws apply when a crime is planned in country A, executed via servers in country B, and affects victims in country C? Secondly, law enforcement agencies are typically national, whereas criminal networks are transnational and fluid. Thirdly, criminals exploit technology and legal loopholes faster than legislation can be updated. Finally, powerful actors like states and TNCs can be the perpetrators, making enforcement politically difficult.

This is a key debate. From a strict legalistic viewpoint, an act is only a crime if it breaks a law. However, many sociologists and criminologists adopt a 'zemiological' (harm-based) or human rights perspective. They argue that actions like large-scale deforestation or toxic waste dumping cause such profound harm to ecosystems and human populations that they should be considered 'criminal' regardless of their legal status in a particular country. This approach challenges the idea that states and corporations can define what is and is not a crime to suit their own interests.