The dark side of economic globalisation: politics, organised crime and corruption in the Pacific

Abstract

The phrase ‘organised crime in the Pacific’ conjures up pictures of shady characters in criminal gangs. This is understandable: mafia and bikie gangs do operate in parts of the Pacific and are often featured – prominently and sensationally – in local and international media (see here, here, and here). However, in our recent Development Policy Centre Discussion Paper we argue that that the most significant organised crime in the region involves the nexus between political elites and seemingly licit actors. The social and economic disruption caused by this nexus is often more serious than many other types of organised crime. This means organised crime in the Pacific is less about tatts, drugs and gangs, and more about networks of politicians, business elites and assorted intermediaries. Show more