Effects of globalization on crime
Globalization has increased criminal activities due to the efficient communication and the ease in movement of people and products. Some crimes have developed due to globalization while others have been reduced. Criminal activities have been accelerated by the expansion of economies and the changes in political systems all over the world. In some instances, globalization has been used to combat crime.
How globalization has increased crime
The ease in transport has caused many criminal activities to take place. The movement of terrorists has been made easier since many countries have allowed people from other countries to cross their borders. The September 11th terrorist attack could not have been possible if all the points of entry into the American nation had been properly monitored.
Drug trafficking has been on the increase due to globalization. Many criminals are using modern technology to traffic dangerous drugs all over the world. Some criminals hijack human beings to be used as agents for trafficking drugs. Some drugs are legalized in some counties while they are illegal in other countries. This has caused many people to export drugs to other countries since their governments support such activities.
The political systems of some countries have supported crime. Some countries give financial support to criminal activities so that they can achieve political support from these people. Terrorists use politicians to conduct their activities. For example, Al Qaeda has been supported by some countries to terrorize other countries. This group gets financial assistance from these countries so as to finance their criminal activities and to terrorize enemies of these countries.
Communication has become easy with the increase in global activities. People can pass information more easily than before. The internet and the mobile phones have recently flooded the international market. This has enabled criminals to expand their network in many countries. Criminal groups can set up networks from different countries since they can communicate easily. Information concerning efforts to combat crime is spread easily and this has enabled criminals to hide out of attack.
Corruption has been on the increase in the international scene due to globalization. Use of technology to hide corruption has been realized. Modern criminals can access materials through the use of corrupt deals without the knowledge of the people concerned (Winter, Sznaider, Beck, 2003). The flow of illicit goods in the international market has been made easy by the effects of globalization. Use of bribery through hidden transactions has become more possible with the increase in methods of communication. A network of individuals is involved in the transactions so as to conceal the activities. Such activities may be carried out across many countries such that it is impossible to trace the circle. Superior government officials are involved in such deals and other prominent individuals. This makes it impossible to trace such activities since the people responsible to combat such crimes are involved in them and cannot put any effort to reduce them.
Tax evasion has been on the increase and many economic systems are incurring great losses. Improvement in technology has created new methods of avoiding and evading tax. Tax is the main source of income to many economies. When this tax is not paid adequately and timely, the government is unable to make good financial plans. This may lead to breakdown of economic systems. This crime has been facilitated by the increase in global technological advancement.
Cultural integration of many communities has increased crime. Culture is a component of beliefs, values, and customs of people living in a community. Cultures differ to a great extent and some practices are acceptable in other cultures while others are not acceptable. People from different cultures have different views about life. Some cultures support some activities which become crimes when introduced to other countries. Globalization has made people adopt cultures from different communities and this has caused conflicts. For example, some cultures support commercial sex while others perceive these activities to be crime.
Immigration has been on the increase due to globalization. People move from one country to another in search of better opportunities. Some countries restrict immigration but illegal immigration still takes place in these countries. The immigrants cause economic imbalance and introduce new lifestyles which end up introducing new forms of crime. Some immigrants carry with them lethal arms which cause threat to the national security.
Illegal brokerage businesses have increased. Prostitution has become an international business. Commercial sex workers use the international links to attract customers all over the world. This business is being advertised over the internet and other sources. Children are exported to perform some sexual businesses. Child labor is practiced by some tycoons who use their international networks to buy children and use them to perform their jobs with less or no pay. Smuggling of goods is done by brokers who are able to bribe their way into the international markets. Such goods affect the economic status of the countries concerned since they cause inflation and create losses to the government since no tax is paid upon them.
Environmental destruction has been on the increase due to globalization. Countries have continued to cause harm to the environment so that they can meet the increasing demand of commodities in the international market. Use of harmful chemicals in the industries has created great havoc which has resulted to global warming. The use of nuclear weapons has increased and this has created a great negative impact on the environment.
Theft of intellectual property has been on the increase. Intellectual property refers to the exclusive rights of a person to use a property. Such property may be software, written works, and movies, among others. Many people who have put a lot of effort to develop their intellectual property are being stolen of their work. Some people are using such works for their own gains without considering the plight of the originators. Though many countries have continued to put restrictions on the use of intellectual property, the vice of stealing such works has been on the increase. Efforts to regulate misuse of other peoples works have almost failed due to the widespread theft of such materials.
Financial frauds have increased due to global activities. Criminals are using frauds in the international markets so as to acquire wealth from such activities. Criminals have acquired new methods of hiding money by the use of modern technology. Some banks are compromising their activities, for example, lending beyond the acceptable capacity, so as to make abnormal profits. Terrorists are given assistance by some financial organizations which are against the will of many countries. These activities have led to economic meltdown that has been experienced in the recent past.
Weapon dealers can access international markets very easily. Terrorists can access such weapons easily since there is a ready market for such products. Many countries are facing the problem of insecurity due to the many weapons which have found their way into their markets. Such weapons are used by criminal groups to conduct crime within and outside the countries.
How globalization has reduced crime
Since World War II, many countries united to reduce chances of any war occurring. They broke down the borders which hindered trade and formed organizations which were to act on international matters affecting the member countries. The international community is concerned about the welfare of the member countries and any problem facing any of them is solved amicably.
Globalization has created free flow of information. People are aware of their rights and they know where they can seek help in times of problems. This has reduced crime since lesser cases of fraudulence are being reported. Information is power and this has enabled many people to access things which were difficult to access.
Through the international community, many countries have joined their efforts to fight against environmental destruction. A meeting in Copenhagen held last year was discussing about the impacts of global warming and the possible measures to reduce it. Many international organizations have come up to educate people about the importance of environmental safety to human beings. It is through globalization that many countries can share ideas on how to carry out environmental friendly activities.
The ease in access of weapons has enabled many countries to fight crime. Modern weapons can be bought so as to attack criminals who have advanced methods of spreading crime. Terrorists can be targeted and their operations can be monitored using modern machines. Many governments have been able to train their security agents about the international methods of dealing with crime. Many states have bought weapons and training officers in order to combat crime.
International criminal court was established to act on criminal activities happening all over the world. This court has enabled many crimes to be reduced since it offers justice to the international community. The court was established to oversee the efficient running of international economies and to reduce conflicts among countries.
Economic interdependence has increased as nations continue to trade with each other. Developed countries have assisted the developing countries through loans, donations and many other means. These countries become partners in trade and interdependence on each other becomes a common thing. Technological transfer from countries which have advanced to less developed countries has been made possible. Capital movement across the borders has increased since countries trade and exchange capital equipment. Third world countries have been able to make great economic improvements due to their link with developed countries. Developed countries have been able to access markets for their products due to the globalization.
Globalization has brought about rise in international actors which challenge state authority. Non-governmental organizations have come up to fight for the rights of people and to provide services which are poorly provided by the government. Civic groups have spread all over the world to protect the interests of the community. Financial markets have been established to prevent the government from establishing rules which affect the local and international business activities. Production networks are machineries formed to protect the interest of manufacturers in their countries of operation.
Governments have been restricted to use international standards of governance. This has been established to ensure no human rights are misused. The international community has pressured governments to maintain regulations that have been set up so as to ensure transparency and accountability are adhered to.
Conclusion
Globalization has brought both advantages and disadvantages in relation to crime. Many criminal activities have emerged with the increase in the global market. There are many people who have benefited from globalization due to reduced insecurity. Nations have been able to expand their economies since the criminal barriers to the success of economic development have been removed.
New methods of reducing crime have been invented and have been tested across the countries. Nations have achieved weapons to combat crime. Flow of information has enabled countries to expand their crime detection tactics. Thus, globalization can be said to have contributed to a great extent the reduction of crime. The rise in transnational problems has generated the need to come up with new methods of solving problems. Such problems require multinational cooperation to resolve.
Categories:
0 comments:
Post a Comment