Criminology - Book chapters

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The causes and consequences of gangland violence in the Republic of Ireland
(Nova Science Publishers, 2019-09) Windle, James; Lombardo, Robert M.
While the Republic of Ireland is a relatively peaceful country, with a homicide rate significantly lower than the global average, it has experienced a number of violent feuds between criminal gangs. This chapter will explore the consequences and causes of these gangland feuds. While gangland feuding is often identified as a form of systematic drug market violence, this chapter argues that the roots of feuding can be found in a historical context of colonialism combined with the contemporary decline in traditional working-class jobs, at a time of increased pressure to exhibit the trappings of the financial success of the family. It is argued that feuding is concentrated in small pockets of economically disadvantaged urban areas where alternative sources of income are, or were, scarce and violent subcultures have emerged. The second half of the chapter identifies some of the significant psychological, physical and social harms which have inflicted family members involved in the feuds, local communities and the Republic of Ireland itself. It has been suggested that the long-term impact of these feuds may be felt when children who are raised in these contexts, experience multiple forms of trauma, and grow into adults themselves in the absence of pro-social supports.
Economics, social neuroscience, and mindshaping
(Routledge, 2020-09-24) Ross, Don; Stirling, Wynn; Harbecke, Jens; Herrmann-Pillath, Carsten
We consider the potential contribution of economics to an interdisciplinary research partnership between sociology and neuroscience (‘social neuroscience’ or ’social neuroeconomics’). We correct a misunderstanding in previous literature over the understanding of humans as ‘social animals’, which has in turn led to misidentification of the potential relevance of game theory and the economics of networks to the social neuroscience project. Specifically, it has been suggested that these can be used to model mindreading. We argue that mindreading is at best a derivative and special basis for social coordination, whereas the general and pervasive phenomenon on which it depends is mindshaping. We then outline the foundations of Conditional Game Theory as a mathematical model of mindshaping, which extends game theory without displacing its classic solution concepts, and which exploits economists’ experience in modeling networks.
Fundraising, organised crime and terrorist financing
(Routledge, 2018-09-03) Windle, James; Silke, Andrew
Running a terrorist organisation can be expensive, especially if a group engages in a prolonged campaign or assumes state functions in areas under their authority. This chapter explores how terrorism is financed, and investigates the several most widely used methods of raising funds. It shows that many sources of funding provide additional, non-monetary rewards. There are five main sources of finance open to terrorists: legitimate investments, state sponsorship, donations/extortion, charities, and crime. The chapter reviews how terrorist financing has adapted to counter-measures and globalisation. As organised crime can be important for financial, symbolic and operational goals, it interrogates the relationship between terrorism and organised crime by exploring Makarenko's crime–terror continuum. The chapter concludes by challenging the belief that ideology prevents the formation of alliances between criminals and terrorists, or the development of hybrid crime/terror groups.
Hawking the historical method in organised crime and terrorism studies
(Routledge, 2018-03) Windle, James; Morrison, John F.; Winter, Aaron; Silke, Andrew; Windle, James; Morrison, John F.; Winter, Aaron; Silke, Andrew
This introductory chapter evaluates the similarities and differences between terrorism and organized crime from an historical perspective. It then discusses the usefulness of historical research for understanding and responding to contemporary threats and phenomena. The chapter concludes by drawing out some of the key ‘lessons learned’, from individual chapters, which stood out to the editors.
'He just wasn't the bloke I used to know': Social capital and the fragmentation of a British organised crime network
(Routledge, 2018-03-01) Windle, James; Windle, James; Morrison, John F.; Winter, Aaron; Silke, Andrew
To the author's best knowledge there have been few empirical studies on the fragmentation of organised crime groups.1 This is not surprising when you consider that the internal dynamics of co-offending groups are largely hidden from official records and, while studies on organised crime employing direct observations and interviews are valuable, recruitment of willing participants can be difficult. Such studies can be also expensive, time consuming, potentially risky, and present ethical barriers. As argued in the introduction to this volume, historical sources can provide an important alternative to these traditional social science methods. This chapter employs (auto)biographies as an historical source to investigate the formation and fragmentation of an organised crime network operational in Essex and London between the late-1980s and 1995. The overlapping sociological theories of trust and social capital are used to guide analysis of the historical data. It is suggested that the network under investigation (Tuckers Firm or the Firm) fragmented when the core clique’s actions and attitudes reduced their social capital with others operating within the network. This supports previous research that violence and dishonesty can be unhelpful for criminal entrepreneurs. The next section will discuss the usefulness and limitations of (auto)biographies as historical sources for the study of organised crime.
Horizon scanning of global drug markets
(Routledge, 2021-11-09) Windle, James
As there are already a number of insightful overviews of the global illicit drug trade (i.e. Purvis and Gundur, 2019; Reuter, 2014) this chapter will not re-tread a well-worn path, but rather explore recent developments and scan for future issues. EMCDDA and Europol (2019) suggest that horizon scanning can improve preparedness for future challenges, ensure institutional resilience to future threats and avoid rigid responses. This chapter will first review traditional drug market dynamics. With this context established it will explore: import substitution of cannabis, the exploitation of vulnerable peoples in European drug markets, online drug sales and new psychoactive substance (NPS) markets. The chapter concludes by discussing whether drug markets will become more exploitative and violent.
Introduction: ‘Nothing about us without us’, a history and application for criminology
(Policy Press, 2021-09-03) Ahmed, Yasmine; Windle, James; Lynch, Orla; Ahmed, Yasmin; Windle, James; Lynch, Orla
‘Nothing about us without us’ surmises a burgeoning movement in criminology that is about giving voice to diverse perspectives and a way of doing research. Primarily it refers to the importance of an approach to criminology that is inclusive of those voices that have historically been hushed, marginalised, silenced or ignored. It also refers to the need for researchers to work with state and grassroots practitioners, especially those who provide a conduit to peoples most impacted by social injustice and crime. This edited volume will explore the importance of diversity and inclusivity in criminological discourses and, consider how researchers might bridge the gap between theory and lived experience, and how the authenticity of the voices of those who have been silenced can be incorporated into a meaningful criminology. This introductory chapter will explore the conceptual history of ‘nothing about us without us’ before summarising some of the key themes explored in this volume.
A left realist perspective to rural crime: The case of agricultural theft in Ireland
(Bristol University Press and Policy Press, 2022-07-29) Windle, James
Left realism originated as an applied theory to support communities to tackle crime in British working-class urban areas. While there are challenges to transferring theory from one context (British urban) to another (Irish rural), using Ireland as a case study this chapter argues for the value of a left realist approach to agricultural theft. The objective of this chapter is to take a small step towards rectifying the hidden nature of agricultural theft, and fear of theft by ironing out some conceptual, theoretical and methodological issues. The chapter begins with a review of Irish and international farm victimisation surveys. The core concepts of left realism are then summarised and its lessons are applied to agricultural theft. The final section draws lessons for Ireland from the international literature and proposes a left realist research agenda.
The Militarisation of Behaviours: Introduction
(Springer, 2022-10-31) Kaucz, Błażej
This chapter is devoted to an introduction to the process of the militarisation of behaviours. It is a mass process of social control employed by the state (and less often by non-state entities) where civilians are subjected to a treatment like that designed for soldiers. When this process is utilised, it leads sections of a society to be subdued to the will of the state officials. It can be a robust power-gaining mechanism used at the expense of the citizens. To build a framework to discuss this process, Ireland and Poland, the two states which are a part of the enquiry are introduced and initially compared. That is done to create a context for an analysis of the historical development of the twentieth-century criminal law in Poland and Ireland in the following two chapters. These two states, at first sight, might not have too much in common especially since both chose somewhat different paths to achieve the militarisation of behaviours. However, both Poland and Ireland promote individualism, self-determinism, and individual agency and it is easier to introduce the militarisation of behaviours in countries supporting these values.
Non-mothers: identities, ambiguity, biography making and life choices
(Policy Press, 2023-07-31) Cronin, Joan
This research draws on interviews with Irish women who consciously decided to forego the motherhood mandate, opting instead to pursue a life without children. The study examines the motives that influenced the women in their decision making, considers the ways in which society reacts to the women’s decision making, and the strategies and identity management techniques that women engage in to preserve a positive sense of self. The women’s narrative accounts document the complex and ambiguous development of a life trajectory based on personal desires and ambitions, free from the commitment and responsibilities involved in raising children.

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