The phrase "world politics: an international gangland" highlights how organized crime and gangster-like practices have become deeply intertwined with global political systems, increasingly shaping state behavior and international relations.wikipedia+2
Gangland Elements in State Power
Many contemporary states exhibit "mafia state" tendencies, where the government is interwoven with organized crime to such a degree that political and criminal elites become indistinguishable. This leads to a political ethos in which corruption, clientelism, and the use of criminal networks for state purposes become normalized. Criminally-influenced states often engage in illicit activities—such as smuggling, money laundering, and political violence—to maintain power and bypass international sanctions.warroom.armywarcollege+2
Organized Crime as Geopolitical Actors
International organized crime groups are no longer confined to local turf wars—they operate as geopolitical actors. States like Russia, Iran, China, and North Korea have increasingly leveraged criminal syndicates for strategic gain, including hybrid warfare, covert actions, political assassinations, and cyber-attacks. For example, Iranian intelligence has recruited transnational gangs to carry out assassinations in Europe, while Russian criminal networks have facilitated territorial takeovers, such as in Crimea.globalpolicyjournal+2
Erosion of Political Institutions
The infiltration of organized crime into politics erodes institutional trust and undermines democracy worldwide. Criminal groups often collude with politicians to redirect public resources, disrupt the rule of law, and capture state institutions for private gain. In extreme cases, criminals have been elected to office, blurring the lines between governance and gangsterism. The result is widespread political corruption and weakened public trust, which further fuels instability.academic.oup+2
Global Context and Consequences
Globally, organized crime threatens the fabric of open societies by exploiting gaps between law enforcement, intelligence operations, and illicit enterprise. With the decline of globalization in some sectors, criminal networks continue to expand international supply chains, launder money, and traffic goods and people with increasing impunity. The consequences include systemic violence, the spread of corruption, and the destabilization of both national and international governance.economist+4
Summary Table: State and Gangland Features in International Politics
| Feature | Manifestation in “Gangland Politics” | Example States/Regions |
|---|---|---|
| Use of Organized Crime | State-criminal alliances for profit/power | Russia, Iran, Venezuela |
| Erosion of Rule of Law | Politically motivated violence, weak institutions | Central/South America, Eastern Europe |
| Hybrid Warfare & Proxies | Criminal groups used for covert action | Iran in Europe, Russian actions in Crimea |
| Systemic Corruption | Politicians colluding with gangs | Italy, Mexico, parts of Africa and Asia |
| Undermining Democracy | Elections influenced/controlled by criminals | Some regions in South America and Eurasia |
In sum, world politics increasingly resembles an international gangland, where organized crime is not just a threat to public order but a central feature of state power, driving violence, corruption, and strategic chaos at a global scale.sipri+3
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- https://globalinitiative.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Intersections-Building-blocks-of-a-global-strategy-against-organized-crime-2024.pdf
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