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Periodical article Periodical article Leiden University catalogue Leiden University catalogue WorldCat catalogue WorldCat
Title:The Political Economy of Crime and Conflict in Sub-Saharan Africa
Author:Shaw, MarkISNI
Year:2001
Periodical:South African Journal of International Affairs
Volume:8
Issue:2
Period:Winter
Pages:57-69
Language:English
Geographic term:Subsaharan Africa
Subjects:political economy
offences
Law, Human Rights and Violence
Economics and Trade
Politics and Government
Military, Defense and Arms
Inter-African Relations
External link:https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/10220460109545360
Abstract:The series of on-going conflicts and ensuing social and political chaos which disrupts ordinary life in many Sub-Saharan African countries has engendered a propensity in the State in those countries to engage in criminal activities. At the moment in many countries in Sub-Saharan Africa, the idea behind achieving an official position is to acquire power and wealth. In fact, the whole region is now in the grip of a vicious circle. War conditions are dangerous, but the aftermath is even worse. There is a glut of weapons and the disturbance of economic resources means that there is a reduction in economic opportunities, causing uncertainty. This is exacerbated by one of the downsides of globalization, porous borders which boost the chances of smuggling arms, drugs and other contraband goods. Matters would improve drastically if arms trafficking could be limited but the chances of law enforcement are pretty dim. The author suggest such measures as regional policing initiatives, but is rather pessimistic about making progress against continent-wide assortments of criminal networks. In short, the prospect of a growth in organized crime is a major threat to medium-to-long-term stability. Eventually the price of peace will exceed the cost of war. Notes, ref. [ASC Leiden abstract]
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