Illicit: Traffickers Diversify

I was reading Moisés Naím's excellent book Illicit the other day, and came across this passage (which is continued after the break). Afghanistan is a case study in the processes he describes; the impact of institutional capture by opium traffickers and their allies is already evident, and their diversification (into real estate, for example) is well underway. Expect more of the same. All future attempts to reform Afghan politics, justice system, or economic development must account for the centrality of the illicit economy:

Left unchecked, illicit trade can only pursue its already well advanced mutation. There is ample evidence that it offers terrorists and other miscreants means of survival and methods of financial transfer and exchange. Its effect on geopolitics will go further. In developing countries and those in transition from communism, criminal networks often constitute the most powerful vested interests confronting the government. In some countries, their resources and capabilities even surpass those of their governments.

These capabilities often translate into political clout. Traffickers and their associates control political parties, own significant media operations, or are the major philanthropists behind nongovernmental organizations. This is a natural outcome in countries where no economic activity can match illicit trade in size or profits and therefore traffickers become the nation's "big business." And once their business becomes large and stable, trafficking networks do as big businesses are prone to do everywhere else: diversify into other businesses and invest in politics. After all, gaining access and influence and seeking government protection has always been part and parcel of big business.

Therefore not only are illicit networks tightly intertwined with licit private sector activities, but they are also deeply embedded within the public sector and the political system. And once they have spread into licit private corporations, political parties, parliaments, local governments, media groups, the courts, the military, and the nonprofit sector, trafficking networks assume a powerful--and in some countries unrivalled--influence on matters of state.

 

Illicit: How Smugglers, Traffickers, and Copycats are Hijacking the Global Economy
by Moises Naim

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Anchor (October 10, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1400078849

Comments

[hanyu]

Support of the Lou Zhu, Lou Zhu worked hard
Signature--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Nothing is impossible for a willing heart.
ugg bailey button
ugg classic cardy

[Abercrombie and Fitch]

one day i went shopping outside,and in an ed hardy store,I found some kinds of ed hardy i love most they are Your website is really good Thank you for the information Abercrombie Hats Abercrombie Hats Abercrombie and Fitch Scarves Abercrombie and Fitch Scarves Abercrombie Fitch Scarves Abercrombie Fitch Scarves Abercrombie Scarves Abercrombie Scarves Abercrombie Fitch slippers Abercrombie Fitch slippers Abercrombie Fitch ruehl-no-925 Abercrombie Fitch ruehl-no-925 discount Abercrombie Fitch discount Abercrombie Fitch Abercrombie and Fitch clothing sale Abercrombie and Fitch clothing sale Cheap Abercrombie clothing Cheap Abercrombie clothing Abercrombie Fitch Hats Abercrombie Fitch Hats Ed Hardy Ed Hardy Thank you for the information

[air force shoes]

limeizhang,Are you looking for the perfect shoes?Come to our nike af1 store online in which you can find most kinds of af1 shoes with low price but the best quality,including air force 1 low,air force one mid,Men's Nike AF1 Bird's Nest Shoes ,Men's Nike AF1 Light-up Shoes ,Men's Nike AF1 Olympic Shoes ect.If you are a male,Mens Nike AF1 Low Shoes In Black and Orange may fit for you.Everyone knows that Nike SB Shoes is the world-famous,an important factor is that Dunk SB are so cool and comfortable.You can see Nike Dunk SB everywhere.Dunk Low and Dunk High are Nike's flagship product.We also wholesale Mens Dunk Mid,Womens Dunk High,Womens Dunk Low.Choose one before sale out,they are easy to match your clothes.

[rolex daytona]

As the business grows, fake rolex daytona has also jumped into an international brand. It is worth mentioning that, rolex daytona replica is the ancestor of today's brand-oriented, in order to protect the quality and brand name will be printed on their products, the history of fashion in the world, is the first one first. rolex daytona replica,replica watches paypal,fake rolex paypal.

[air max 90]

air max 2010 is the latest air max shoes series, synthetic leather using the latest technology to give a more smooth surface of the nike air max. It has good air permeability, and effective deodorant.nike 360 Enhancing soles wear resistance, reducing the weight of air max 180, so you wear more lightweight and comfortable.nike air 360 Now the shoes are all white, black and blue combination,air max 95 and they will in the upcoming December issue, you can now order the first pair of special edition air max 90.In addition,you can see the series of air max 360 in my store!

[discount mbt shoes sale]

A lot Aof people are familiar with the brand “MBT” but a lot among them don’t have clear idea of the functions of discount mbt shoes sale. As an advanced consuming commodity， let’s take a look at the prices of shop of discount mbt shoes. Without question, office workers and people who like going shopping can afford MBT Chapa sale . However, in terms of students who have no earning, it is comparatively difficult for them to afford a pair of MBT shoes unless they have wealthy parents. I’m sure most people bare this idea. In my opinion, mbt shoes sale are not necessarily expensive because a pair of shoes can be used for at least three years due to its solid structures. Therefore, in the long run, a pair of MBT shoes is not so expensive if we detach the expenditures to several years.MBT Chapa Gray Shoes are used in sports. A lot of professional athletes wear MBT Chapa Shoes to advance or cooperate with their trainings to prevent damages caused by sharp exercises. In addition, MBT Chapa can be used in daily life. It can train your muscles, burn calories, protect your joints and so on

[northface]

How To Clearn Your North Face Jackets

In the washing down north face outlet, the first thing should be placed in clean water immersion for half an hour or so, and then rubbed gently, let the water for the elimination the dust that stick on the north face sale . Then pour away the water clear water enclosed into just the right amount of low foam neutral detergent, solventing-posive capacity to superimposedfield down products as the standard, 20 minutes after a soft brush in down products brush lightly on again, and then wash.
In the cleaning procedure, you will fold down the north face jacket and post-pressure dry, must not hand rubbed with gynostemma or board, as this will damage effects down fibers, warm. In the above mentioned may be down products the same amounts in sheet metal, and then a little dry with a clean cloth obscured the Sun, but do not leave too long, dry back hand fluff down, flip side cured, pending a thorough drying
North face down jacket lavation 3 aspects to be considered undo: 1st, the utter destruction of dry cleaning. Because the dry cleaning, tetachloroethylene drops will break down the effect of protein, warm, and drying process capacity so that the fabric of aging. 2nd, the utter destruction of alkaline washing procedures so as to avoid lotio debinding down too brittle. 3rd, don't ironing hand washing your north face jackets enough.

--youxiaoyan

[123]

Looking forward to reading more articles from you.Dare and the world always yields.If mbt shoes sale beats you sometimes,; mbt trainers inflames the great.mbt shoes uk is like earthenware: once broken, mbt shoe can be mended;mbt anti shoe dare it again and again and it will succumb.