The Dynamics of Criminal Governance: Networks and Social Order in Rio de Janeiro

Abstract

Academic analyses of crime and policing in Latin America have generally focused on the failure of state institutions to guarantee a rule of law. This study, however, argues that the persistently high levels of violence in Rio's favelas [shantytowns] result not from the failure of institutions but, rather, from networks that bring criminals together with civic leaders, politicians, and police. These contacts protect traffickers from state repression and help them build political support among the residents of the where they favelas operate. Rather than creating ‘parallel states’ outside of political control, then, these networks link trafficker dominated favelas into Rio's broader political and social system.

O reassentamento como promotor de capital social em políticas públicas urbanas: uma análise da ação estatal em três estudos de caso

“…define-se como "o conjunto de condições precárias a que os trabalhadores têm que se sujeitar para vender sua força de trabalho" 4 , cujo rebatimento na forma urbana periférica seriam principalmente os loteamentos irregulares e a autoconstrução.…”

The Dark Side of Globalization: The Transnationalization of Garrisons in the Case of Jamaica

“…Migrant groups and communities are able to construct transnational localities (Smith R. C., 1998) forged along multiple memberships to states, identities, and communities. They are better able to reproduce social capital based not just on mutual interests but also on shared norms and a combination of weak and strong ties (Arias 2006). Historically, Jamaica has experienced high levels of storage for contraband goods from Central America until faster boats arrived to take the good to countries in Northwestern Europe.…”

“…Within an increasingly globalized international system, several other states may face similar dilemmas: Brazil and its Favelas (Arias, 2006;Arias & Davis Rodriques, 2006), South Africa and its slums (Standing, 2005;, and…”

“…According to Arias (2006), with the emergence of the drug trafficking industry transnational networks have become a hallmark of globalization in Brazil's Favelas from the mid 1980s. The impoverished nature of these communities in addition to the their high levels of density 78 have made them conducive to the drug market.…”

“…However, in order to reinforce their newly negotiated power leverage among community residents, Arias (2006) argues that drug traffickers also need to more specifically foster a strong relationship with civil society groups and non-profit organizations that set up in the community. In the case of Brazil, these civil society by the splitting of cities such as Yekaterinburg into territorially distinct sectors (Finchenauer & Voronin, 2001).…”