The Informal Regulation of Criminal Markets in Latin America

This book explores how states in Latin America informally regulate drug markets through interactions between police and politicians, aiming to extract illicit rents or prevent criminal violence. It highlights the role of weak institutions in allowing police to act as intermediaries between criminals and politicians, leading to different informal regulatory arrangements. Case studies based on interviews in Argentina and Brazil provide insights into the emergence and evolution of these arrangements.

Format: Hardback
Length: 300 pages
Publication date: 25 August 2022
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

This comprehensive book delves into the intricate dynamics of how states in Latin America informally regulate drug markets. It provides a compelling exploration of the various strategies employed by state actors, particularly police and politicians, to interact with, negotiate with, or safeguard drug dealers in order to extract illicit rents or mitigate criminal violence. The book sheds light on the crucial role played by police in countries with weak institutional frameworks, acting as intermediaries between criminals and politicians. It reveals that the extent to which politicians exercise control over their police forces plays a significant factor in determining the prevalence of different informal regulatory arrangements aimed at controlling drug markets. Through detailed case studies based on 180 interviews conducted in four cities in Argentina and Brazil, the book reconstructs the historical evolution and transformation of these informal regulatory arrangements. By examining the interplay between state actors, criminal organizations, and political dynamics, this book offers valuable insights into the complex and multifaceted nature of drug market regulation in Latin America. It serves as a valuable resource for scholars, policymakers, and practitioners interested in understanding the challenges and opportunities associated with informal governance in this region.

Weight: 571g
ISBN-13: 9781009170727