What is the impact of serious and organised crime on development
This report assesses existing evidence to answer the question: what is the nature of the impact of serious and organised crime on development?
Abstract
For the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), ITERU and the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) conducted a rapid evidence assessment to assess existing evidence to answer the question “what is the nature of the impact of serious and organised crime (SOC) on development?”
In countries defined as fragile, post-conflict or less developed, underdevelopment has been recognised as a factor in creating insecurity and fostering an environment where organised crime can flourish. Organised crime is known to disrupt the development process and pervert the benefits of development. While sometimes it may appear to have a stabilising impact on the surface—for example, by providing livelihoods opportunities—it can still be coercive, violent or help to build the legitimacy of criminal groups. Traditionally, organised crime has been considered a security concern, due to the violence employed by organised crime groups, and the type of threat posed to the state. But security responses, on their own, can either push crime elsewhere or, at worst, exacerbate it.
Explicitly referenced in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), addressing organised crime has now been firmly placed within the mandate of development actors, to bring forward a more comprehensive approach to addressing organised crime. Without properly understanding the different negative impacts, any stabilising influences, and the unintended consequences development can have on serious and organised crime and vice versa, there is a risk that development efforts will themselves undermine development objectives and bolster organised crime.
A rapid evidence assessment and a summary of the findings are available.
Citation
Sasha Jesperson et al (2020) Serious and organised crime: Impacts on development: Rapid evidence assessment. ITERU and RUSI
Sasha Jesperson et al (2020) Serious and organised crime: Impacts on development: Summary findings from a rapid evidence assessment. ITERU and RUSI
Link
What is the impact of serious and organised crime on development