Citation

Sullivan JP, Bunker RJ. Small Wars Insurg. 2011; 22(5): 742-763.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2011, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/09592318.2011.625720

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Driven by globalization, Internet communications technology (ICT), and new economic forms the nature of states may be changing. Transnational criminal organizations (TCOs) - including what are commonly known as cartels - are early adopters to the new political/economic landscape. In addition to seeking to rule the illicit economy, criminal actors (networked cartels and gangs) are challenging states through high-order violence and leveraging nascent social/spiritual movements (narcocultura) to potentially usher in a new political dynamic. These violent non-state actors (criminal soldiers) are insurgent actors. They are waging new forms of insurgency - criminal and possibly spiritual - that have the potential to reconfigure states.

Language: en

Keywords

Americas; cartels; commercial insurgency; criminal insurgency; Mexico; narcocultura; societal warfare; spiritual insurgency; state reconfiguration