Hacer frente a las implicaciones para el desarrollo de las economías ilícitas: El ascenso de una agenda de investigación y políticas públicas

Los autores argumentan que, si bien los mercados ilícitos se asocian con frecuencia con la violencia y el desorden, también pueden proporcionar un salvavidas a quienes viven dentro de los márgenes de la sociedad. Más información, en inglés, está disponible abajo.

By Allan Gillies , John Collins, Alexander Soderholm

This special issue of the Journal of Illicit Economies and Development builds on a growing, multifaceted research and policy agenda that advances development perspectives of illicit economies in the Global South. Conventional policy discourses have typically framed this issue as a security problem, drawing direct and often simplistic causalities with underdevelopment. Illicit economies frequently drive violence, corruption, exploitation and failures in governance, for example. However, for many communities living in poverty and conflict-affected areas across the globe, involvement in illicit economic activity can also ameliorate the immediate problems they face. Illicit economies may provide vital sources of livelihood and underpin stable political orders and socio-economic development at the margins of the state. Broad, securitised policy responses may cause more harm than good in such contexts. Scoping the complex relationship between illicit economies and development, this introductory article outlines key themes of the special issue.

(This article is part of the first issue of the Journal of Illicit Economies and Development)