Organized Crime, the State, and Paramilitarism

Abstract

How are paramilitarism and crime related to each other? Empirical studies of paramilitarism make abundantly clear that (organized) crime plays an important role in paramilitarism: the trade in illicit commodities and services and the fact that criminal gangs operate in secrecy are two phenomena that are closely related to paramilitary activity. The influences seem to run both ways: criminals benefit from paramilitarism, and paramilitarism often engenders crime. In many examples, entire organized crime structures have collided with states and paramilitary units. This chapter offers a deeper look at the relationships between paramilitarism and crime. It looks at how criminal organizations are coveted by states if the tasks at hand necessitate the need for trust that characterizes interpersonal relationships within criminal groups. The relationship is mutually beneficial, because it allows criminal groups to achieve a form of respectability, preserve their assets, and develop their activities by influencing law-making and extending their network. The chapter examines these shared interests and trade-offs, discusses organized crime in peace and wartime, and draws several paramilitary-criminal profiles of those who pursued not only wealth and private interests, but also political power.