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Dark Networks: The Terror–Crime Nexus

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Palgrave Handbook of Inter-Organizational Relations in World Politics

Abstract

This contribution looks at dark networks among organized crime and terrorist organizations. Both of these clandestine groups use similar organizational designs and structures, emphasizing decentralized cellular networks to attain an optimal balance between efficiency and secrecy in efforts to avoid detection and disruption by law enforcement and the military. Organized criminals and terrorists frequently collaborate to advance their respective economic and political goals. Although research is hampered by difficulties in data collection, the terror–crime nexus appears to be increasing worldwide. Some analysts speculate that transnational organizations are converging, even merging, while others express doubts about that feasibility of alliances between groups with divergent objectives. This chapter reviews recent theoretical explanations and empirical research on the terror–crime nexus and discusses some fruitful directions for future research on the problem.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of of Sociology, University of Minnesota, 909 Social Sciences Bldg., Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA

    Marie Wu & David Knoke

Authors
  1. Marie Wu
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  2. David Knoke
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Jena, Germany

    Joachim A. Koops

  2. Vesalius College, Brussels, Belgium

    Rafael Biermann

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Wu, M., Knoke, D. (2017). Dark Networks: The Terror–Crime Nexus. In: Koops, J., Biermann, R. (eds) Palgrave Handbook of Inter-Organizational Relations in World Politics. Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1057/978-1-137-36039-7_22

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