Methods Not Motives: Implications of the Convergence of International Organized Crime and Terrorism

How Does Leadership Decapitation Affect Violence? The Case of Drug Trafficking Organizations in Mexico

“…The primary relationship criminals have with government is a desire to be left alone by it. It is motives, not methods, that separate criminal groups from terrorists and insurgents, to paraphrase Shelley and Picarelli (2002). There are many interesting examples of criminal groups with some political dimensions and political groups using criminal means to raise funds.…”

The Business of Kidnap for Ransom

“…Whether the crime involves bank robbery or telemarketing fraud, the motive for money is the shared characteristic of a profi t -driven crime. Contemporary profi t -driven criminal behaviour can be highly sophisticated, organized, and driven by global demands for products and services (Schmid, 1996 ;Shelly & Picarelli, 2002 ).…”

“…Some have extended this debate further by defi ning a terror -crime nexus in which terrorist and criminal groups co -operate in order to increase profi t and operational ability (Bibes, 2001 ;Makarenko, 2004 ;Mincheva & Gurr, 2006 ;Picarelli, 2006 ;Shelly & Picarelli, 2002 ;Williams, 1994 ). The terror -crime nexus is a characteristic of the failed or transitional state, in which insurgency is a key feature of the political and social landscape (Sung, 2004 ).…”

The public sector corruption and organised crime nexus: The case of the fertiliser subsidy programme in Malawi

“…14 In most cases corruption is used to co-opt 'government officials to mitigate the ability of law enforcement, regulatory, or other agencies that are directly responsible with interdicting or eradicating … criminal groups'. 15 The role of corruption in organised crime is 'not only in diluting deterrence but also as a strategic complement to crime and therefore a catalyst to organized crime' 16 so that organised crime and corruption 'feed' 17 on each other.…”