Learning from Global Democratic Challenges and Innovations Mini-Conference III: Criminal Politics in Violent Democracies

Session Submission Type: Full Paper Panel

Part of Mini-Conference

• Learning from Global Democratic Challenges and Innovations Mini-Conference III

Session Description

In contrast to previous eras characterized by predominantly rural insurgencies, contemporary security threats in numerous "violent democracies" are primarily driven by organized criminal groups operating in both rural and urban areas. These entities, involved in both criminal violence and governance, pose a significant challenge to the stability of these democracies. They engage in fierce territorial battles, not only among themselves but also against state forces, vying for control and dominance at the local level. This dynamic interaction involves complex relationships with state representatives, where collusion can either contribute to stability or exacerbate violence. The impact of these organizations extends beyond mere criminality, as they intricately engage, violently and non-violently, with the communities in which they operate. Consequently, they emerge as pivotal forces that actively shape the political and social landscapes of crime-affected areas.

While political scientists have increasingly delved into the "politics of crime," with a specific focus on governmental policies to control criminal activities, crucial aspects remain unexplored within this burgeoning literature. Key questions persist, such as the motivations behind some drug-trafficking organizations opting for violence and the reactions of communities to this violence. Why do some groups use violence and others show restraint? Which social responses are triggered, by which forces, and to which effects? Finally, exploring public support for alternative governmental responses is also paramount: what contributes to greater backing for specific approaches? Is there room for moving away from militarization and iron-fist enforcement? Addressing these gaps is essential to comprehensively understand the intricate dynamics surrounding organized crime, politics, and society.

This panel brings together a cohort of early and mid-career scholars. The four papers showcased delve into pressing questions, providing fresh insights that contribute to bridging current research gaps. Although the papers focus on a selection of countries profoundly impacted by criminal violence Brazil, Mexico, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Honduras, and El Salvador- the importance of these issues has implications for various urban areas across the developing world and beyond.

In the first paper, Laura Blume (University of Nevada, Reno) presents an innovative theory examining the strategic decisions made by drug-trafficking organizations and their consequent impact on their use of violence against specific sectors of the population, encompassing politicians, activists, media workers, and judicial officials.

Rebecca Bell-Martin (Tecnológico de Monterrey, Mexico) and Abby Cordova (University of Notre Dame) redirect the focus to how social actors respond to such violence. Delving into noteworthy cases within Mexico's "war on drugs," Bell-Martin explores the dynamics of empathy for victims of criminal violence, investigating how this emotion serves as a catalyst for political mobilization, and how political leaders and human rights advocates strategically use empathy to influence societal reactions to violence. Cordova, focusing on El Salvador, further explores social responses to violence, investigating whether public attitudes towards victims are sensitive to the characteristics of the victim, of the perpetrator, and of the violence itself, with a particular focus on gender dynamics.

Concluding the panel, Davide Morisi (University of Southern Denmark) and Juan Masullo (Leiden University) shift the focus toward public support for alternative approaches to addressing criminal violence. Focusing on Brazil, they show that public support for approaches that move away from unconditional crackdowns on all criminal groups is stronger than what scholars and policymakers commonly assume. They delineate the primary correlates of support and explore policy goals and frames capable of mobilizing public endorsement for alternative responses to criminal violence.

The limitations in this expanding literature largely stem from insufficient data on the subject and the challenges associated with obtaining reliable information. In response to these obstacles, the researchers in this panel have adopted diverse data sources and innovative techniques for data collection and analysis, such as ethnographies, qualitative content analysis, in-depth interviewing, and survey experimental methods. Consequently, this panel embodies the essential interdisciplinary and methodological pluralism that has characterized this intricate and evolving research sub-field.

Desmond Arias (CUNY) and Lucia Tiscornia (University College Dublin), distinguished scholars who have not only pioneered but also expanded the frontiers of this research agenda, will serve as the Chair and Discussant for the panel.

Sub Unit

• Theme Panel

Cosponsor

• Division 21: Conflict Processes

Individual Presentations

• The Art of Trafficking: How Politics Influences Narco-Violence - Laura Blume, University of Nevada Reno

• States, Human Rights and Empathy-Based Political Mobilization during Violence - Rebecca Bell-Martin, Tecnologico de Monterrey

• Citizen Responses to Gender and Non-gender Based Violence in Criminal Wars - Abby B. Cordova, University of Notre Dame

• Destroying Criminals or Enacting Preferred Behaviors? - Juan Masullo, Leiden University; Davide Morisi, University of Southern Denmark

Chair

• Lucia Tiscornia University College Dublin

Discussant

• Enrique Desmond Arias Baruch College, CUNY