After cold war, new patterns of conflicts emerged, most of them regional or intra – state conflicts (Stohl 2005). In these conflicts small arms were the dominant weapons, often purchased and supplied in an international black market, one that traffics 250 – 300 Millions illegal small arms (Jane´s Terrorism & Security Monitor 2006). To fulfil the pretensions of this enormous market, trans-national crime organizations established highly sophisticated purposive networks throughout the globe that became rather successful, being able to “exploit international channels, systems and infrastructure where they already exist and are equally quick to create new ones” (Stohl 2004, p. 21).
Globalization, considered as “processes through which sovereign national states are crisscrossed and undermined by trans-national actors” (Beck 2000, p. 101) has had a tremendous effect on the illicit markets and in special on the illicit small arms trade. In the following this paper will argue, that by creation of international networks in order to exploit international sources and new emerging markets, illicit small arms trade became a global business in the last decades (Stohl 2004, p. 21). It will also analyze how globalization processes contributed to this development by opening up new perspectives for international acting crime groups. A focus will be laid on major sources for illicit arms and the analysis of major causes for the global expansion of illicit trade in small arms during the last 20 years.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- The Global Illicit Small Arms Trade
- Major Sources of Illicit Small Arms
- Diversion of Legal Weapon Stockpiles
- State Supplies of Weapons to Non-State Actors
- Production of New and Cheap Weapons
- The Role of Globalization
- Case Studies: Albania, Thailand, Peru
- The European Union and Illicit Small Arms Trade
Objectives and Key Themes
This paper aims to analyze the global expansion of the illicit small arms trade over the last two decades, focusing on the role of globalization in facilitating this development. It examines the major sources of illicit weapons and explores how globalization processes, including economic liberalization and the weakening of state authorities, have created opportunities for transnational criminal organizations.
- The impact of globalization on the illicit small arms trade.
- Major sources of illicit small arms (diversion of legal stockpiles, state supplies, new production).
- The role of weak states and corrupt officials in facilitating the trade.
- The establishment of transnational criminal networks and their operational methods.
- Case studies illustrating the global reach and impact of illicit small arms trafficking.
Chapter Summaries
Introduction: This introductory section sets the stage by quoting Galeotti (2004) on the transformative nature of organized crime in the context of globalization. It then introduces the topic of illicit small arms trafficking as a case study of this phenomenon, outlining the paper's objectives: to explore how globalization has fueled the growth of this global business and to analyze the main sources of these weapons and the causes behind their expansion.
The Global Illicit Small Arms Trade: This chapter argues that the illicit small arms trade has become a global business due to the establishment of international networks by criminal organizations. It highlights how globalization, characterized by the undermining of national states by transnational actors (Beck 2000), has significantly impacted illicit markets, creating new opportunities for these criminal networks to exploit international channels and infrastructure. The chapter lays the groundwork for subsequent sections exploring the specific sources and causes of this global expansion.
Major Sources of Illicit Small Arms: This section identifies three main sources feeding the global demand for illicit small arms. First, the diversion of legally produced weapons from stockpiles, where a significant portion of the market originates from legally traded arms later diverted into illicit networks (Stohl 2004). Second, state supplies of weapons to non-state actors, exemplified by the US support for Afghan fighters during the Soviet war, which inadvertently created a large pipeline for diversion into the black market (Kartha 1997). Third, the production of cheap, new weapons, primarily from countries like China and Pakistan, significantly contributing to the affordability and accessibility of these weapons in the global illicit market.
The Role of Globalization: This chapter examines how globalization facilitates the illicit small arms trade. It discusses how the globalization of ideas has weakened state authorities in many parts of the world, creating opportunities for criminal organizations. The chapter highlights the impact of economic liberalization and increased international trade, which have inadvertently facilitated the activities of transnational criminal organizations by providing them with new avenues for operation and increased access to markets and resources. The dismantling of statist economies and the adoption of liberal market reforms have created an environment where criminal networks can thrive.
Case Studies: Albania, Thailand, Peru: This section uses case studies from Albania, Thailand, and Peru to illustrate the points made in previous chapters. In Albania, the collapse of the state led to the looting of national arsenals and the emergence of a major hub for illicit arms trafficking. In Thailand, high-ranking military officials were implicated in the illicit trade, creating secure trading routes. Peru provides an example of how a high-ranking government official's involvement enabled a massive arms-dealing ring, connecting the country to both suppliers and consumers of weapons, such as the FARC rebel group.
The European Union and Illicit Small Arms Trade: This section focuses on the impact of the EU's economic integration on the illicit small arms trade in Europe. It discusses how the easing of border controls has facilitated the transit of illegal weapons, particularly from the Balkans and Eastern Europe, increasing the flow into the European criminal underworld and potentially fueling terrorist groups. The chapter highlights the increased ease of trafficking due to the removal of border controls and increased economic exchange, and mentions Greece as a key hub in this illicit activity.
Keywords
Illicit small arms trade, globalization, transnational crime, weak states, corruption, diversion of legal weapons, state supplies, weapon production, criminal networks, case studies, European Union.
Frequently Asked Questions: A Comprehensive Analysis of the Global Illicit Small Arms Trade
What is the main focus of this paper?
This paper analyzes the global expansion of the illicit small arms trade over the past two decades, focusing on how globalization has facilitated this growth. It examines the major sources of illicit weapons and explores how globalization processes (economic liberalization, weakened state authorities) have created opportunities for transnational criminal organizations.
What are the key themes explored in this paper?
Key themes include the impact of globalization on the illicit small arms trade; major sources of illicit small arms (diversion of legal stockpiles, state supplies, new production); the role of weak states and corrupt officials; the establishment and methods of transnational criminal networks; and case studies illustrating the global reach and impact of illicit small arms trafficking.
What are the major sources of illicit small arms identified in the paper?
The paper identifies three main sources: 1) Diversion of legally produced weapons from stockpiles; 2) State supplies of weapons to non-state actors; and 3) The production of cheap, new weapons, particularly from countries like China and Pakistan.
How does globalization facilitate the illicit small arms trade?
Globalization weakens state authorities, creates opportunities for criminal organizations, and facilitates increased international trade, providing new avenues for operation and access to markets and resources. The dismantling of statist economies and the adoption of liberal market reforms creates an environment where criminal networks can thrive.
What case studies are used to illustrate the global reach of the illicit small arms trade?
The paper uses case studies from Albania (state collapse and arsenal looting), Thailand (military official involvement), and Peru (high-ranking government official involvement in a large arms-dealing ring).
What is the impact of the European Union on the illicit small arms trade?
The paper discusses how the EU's economic integration and eased border controls have facilitated the transit of illegal weapons, particularly from the Balkans and Eastern Europe, increasing the flow into the European criminal underworld and potentially fueling terrorist groups. Greece is mentioned as a key hub.
What are the objectives of this paper?
The paper aims to explore how globalization has fueled the growth of the global illicit small arms trade and to analyze the main sources of these weapons and the causes behind their expansion.
What is the structure of the paper?
The paper includes an introduction, chapters on the global illicit small arms trade, major sources of illicit small arms, the role of globalization, case studies (Albania, Thailand, Peru), the European Union and the illicit small arms trade, and a conclusion. It also features a table of contents, objectives and key themes, chapter summaries, and keywords.
Where can I find more information on this topic?
The paper cites various sources, including Galeotti (2004), Beck (2000), Stohl (2004), and Kartha (1997), which provide further insights into the global illicit small arms trade and related topics.
- Citation du texte
- MSc. M.A. Robert Fiedler (Auteur), 2008, Transnational Crime Networks, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/163717
