There’s lots of interest RN in how #organizedcrime groups are using the #COVID19 crisis to increase their power:

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/apr/20/mexico-criminal-groups-covid-19-crisis-opportunity-gain-power

Some thoughts on how and why they do it – a short thread.

NB @farfan_cc

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Criminal organizations want power. They don’t want the responsibility of formal rule – leave that to the state – but they do want hidden governmental control.

They get it partly by building narratives and codes that people buy into: criminal governmentality.

Criminal orgs work to cultivate + coopt social narratives that nurture their hidden power.

They build narratives that they are the best source of protection – better than rivals for governmental power, including the state.

Disasters are a great moment to prove it.

Protection strategies depend on the resources groups are seeking to control.

Sometimes they need to employ a big labour pool. Sometimes they just tax flows.

The more ‘friends’ you need to run your business, the larger your ‘protection’ efforts.

4/7

In some places, the protection strategies of the state & #organizedcrime become so similar it becomes hard to tell them apart.

Ultimately, communication is just 1 aspect of criminal strategy, w/ also includes use of coercion & corruption.

For more + to see how this has played out from the Mob to Mexico and from Sicily to the Sahel, check out Hidden Power:

https://www.hurstpublishers.com/book/hidden-power/

@HurstPublishers
6/7

And for other takes on this question, don’t miss the brilliant work of @GI_TOC @VFelbabBrown @federico_varese @itbriscoe @InSightCrime @annasergi @hamarquette @DavidSkarbek @Tuesdayjaded @Mark_Shaw_ @de_BoerJohn @AnnetteIdler @VirginiaComolli @cheng_christine

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