Lesson 2: Organised crime and the state

From street-level law enforcement to the upper echelons of government, organised crime has infiltrated the state through corruption. The blurred lines between state and criminal actors have eroded the boundaries between the upper and underworlds, creating fertile ground for organised crime to thrive and expand. This infiltration not only hampers state responses to organised crime but also undermines the provision of essential services. 

Building on the foundations of understanding organised crime and its relationship to our societies, this session explores the complex dynamics between organised crime and state institutions, with a particular focus on corruption as a facilitating mechanism. Participants will examine how these connections weaken governance and explore the impact of organised crime on state stability.