Brown and Hermann publish a study on transnational crime
In their new book, Transnational Crime and Black Spots: Rethinking Sovereignty and the
Global Economy, published by Palgrave MacMillan, Maxwell School faculty
members Stuart Brown and Margaret Hermann examine 80 safe havens across the
globe from which transnational criminal, insurgent, and terrorist organizations
operate — areas they term “black spots.” Like the black holes in astronomy that
challenge Newtonian physics, and black markets that pose problems for the legal
economy, these “black spots” challenge the Westphalian state system and our
notions of sovereignty. These places are sustained by illicit activities and
function outside state-based government control.
In the book, Brown and Hermann explore how
black spots come to exist, their functions and the illicit activities for which
they are known, and the transnational criminal, insurgent, and terrorist
organizations that govern them. The authors trace the flows of insecurity
between and among the black spots and provide a view of the illicit networks
and key hubs that result. In doing so, they identify cross-border patterns not
previously discussed within the literature. Given recent increases in
internet-based transborder crime, the authors also explore whether similar
sites can be identified in cyberspace. They conclude Transnational Crime and Black Spots by identifying and discussing
some of the key challenges these safe havens pose for law enforcement and
governance at both the national and international levels.
Brown is director of the master of arts in
international relations degree program and vice chair of Public Administration
and International Affairs. His teaching and research focus on international
macroeconomics and political economy. He is the author of The Future of US Global Power: Delusions of Decline, also published
by Palgrave MacMillan. Before coming to Syracuse, he worked at the
International Monetary Fund, and as chief economist for Central and Eastern
Europe, the Middle East, and Africa at BNP-Paribas and Bank of America.
Hermann is Gerald B. and Daphna Cramer
Professor of Global Affairs and director of the Moynihan Institute of Global
Affairs. She is the author or editor of 11 books and over 100 academic,
technical, and policy papers. Her research focuses on the study of leadership
and the management of conflict and crises. She has created leadership profiles of
heads of state, insurgent and terrorist leaders, government executives, and
those in charge of transnational nongovernmental organizations.
You can read more about their new book on the
Palgrave MacMillan website.
02/18/20