Globalized Organized Crime and the Future of a Democratic World

In the age of globalization, organized crime has long since become an inherent part of transnational economic activities. Organized crime such as money laundering, corruption and human trafficking endangers the legitimacy of the state and presents insidious or open threats to democratic structures in some world regions.

Worldwide networks
With this conference, the Heinrich Böll Foundation intends to discuss transnational organized crime as a central, yet neglected aspect of globalization.
Following various routes of organized crime – from Europe to Asia, Africa and Latin America – we will be addressing questions related to the driving forces behind crime and the dilemma of transnational economic structures that increasingly blur the line between legality and illegality.

A fine line between legality and illegality
What are the causes and factors favoring organized crime? How should we deal with the fine line between legality and illegality with regard to different cultural contexts? And what does it mean for a local society when the state is no longer capable of maintaining security? Experts believe that the formula for combatting organized crime lies in carefully tailored political regulation. But what precisely is the nature of the numerous opposing forces in the increasing criminalization of economic transactions, social organization and political culture in many countries? And what can civil society do against criminal infiltration of the state and economic relations?


Conference guide
What are the causes and factors favoring organized crime?

How should we deal with the fine line between legality and illegality with regard to different cultural contexts?

To what extent does the nature of transnational business activities under the conditions of globalization affect the legitimacy of the state and thus favor the spread of organized crime?

What is the impact of transnational organized crime on the political culture and governability of countries?

What is the relationship between transnational organized crime and human rights?

Which forces are counteracting the increasing criminalization of economic transactions, social organization and political culture in many countries?