Mafiocracy II: State Capture by Organized Criminal Groups

According to the 2023 Global Organized Crime Report, “state involvement in criminality remains the most pervasive force in driving organized crime.” It further reports that 83% of the world’s population lives in high-criminality countries. The Americas are especially affected by mafia-type groups influencing government. Although democracies are better able to resist organized crime, organized criminal groups (OCGs) have been gaining a foothold in democratic governments throughout the world. OCGs influence elections through violence; they influence political actors and legislation through corruption and violence; and they promote political candidates from within their ranks. Through active public relations, organized crime groups establish themselves as more legitimate than elected governments. In this panel, Gabriel Rojas-Salazar examines and develops a typology of the intricate relationships between corruption and organized crime. Cielito Olivo analyzes three case studies from Ecuador to demonstrate the ways that mafiocracy represents state capture. Finally, Samuel Mamede contrasts mafiocracy practices that link organized crime and governance in Brazil and the United States.