Dina Siegel and Hans Nelen The term ¿global organized crime¿ has been in use in criminology since the mid 1990s. Even more general and abstract than its daughter-terms (transnational or cross-border organized crime), ¿global organized crime¿ seems to embrace the activities of criminal groups and networks all around the planet, leaving no geographical space untouched. The term appears to cover the geographical as well as the historical domain: ¿global¿ has taken on the meaning of ¿forever and ever¿. Global organized crime is also associatively linked with ¿globalisation¿. The social construction of both terms in scientific discourse is in itself an interesting theme. But perhaps even more interesting, especially for academics trying to conduct empirical research in this area, is the analysis of the symbolic and practical meaning of these concepts. How should criminologists study globalisation in general and global organized crime in particular? Which instruments and ¿theoretical luggage¿ do they have in order to conduct this kind of research? The aim of this book is not to formulate simple, straightforward answers to these questions, but rather to give an overview of contemporary criminological research combining international, national and local dimensions of specific organized crime pr- lems. The term global organized crime will hardly be used in this respect. In other social sciences, such as anthropology, there is a tendency to get rid of vague and abstract terms which can only serve to confuse our understanding. In our opinion, criminology should follow this initiative.

Examines organized crime in many different trades, from diamond dealing, to drug smuggling, to car theft

Criminal Groups and Activities.- Reflections on the Sicilian Mafia: Peripheries and Their Impact on Centres.- The Decline of the Italian Mafia.- Hashish Smuggling by Bedouin in South Sinai.- Corruption as a Causal Factor in Human Trafficking.- New Players in an Old Game: The Sex Market in Italy.- The Vehicle Theft Market in Bulgaria.- Diamonds and Organized Crime:The Case of Antwerp.- Eco-Crime: The Tropical Timber Trade.- The Role of Hawala Bankers in the Transfer of Proceeds from Organised Crime.- Facilitating Organized Crime: The Role of Lawyers and Notaries.- Law Enforcement.- Criminal Conflicts and Collective Violence: Biker-Related Account Settlements in Quebec, 1994-2001.- Controlling Human Smuggling in the Netherlands: How the Smuggling of Human Beings Was Transformed into a Serious Criminal Offence.- The Civil RICO Law as the Decisive Weapon in Combating Labour Racketeering.- Recent Anti-Mafi a Strategies: The Italian Experience.- Breaking the Power of Organized Crime? The Administrative Approach in Amsterdam.