Topics:Illicit Global Economy

3 Credits · Level: Graduate, Undergraduate

This course surveys the political economy of illicit economic activities in the Americas. Courses in international relations usually ignore the illicit flows of capital and trade of goods, services, and even people, notwithstanding the substantial impact of this activity on the global economy and on state and citizen security. Students will learn the prevailing theoretical approaches to explaining the illicit global economy, with particular focus on the Americas. The materials will cover topics such as the role of organized crime in political campaign finance and in the exploitation of natural resources, corruption and money laundering. Finally, the course also will reflect on the state of intelligence sharing among international actors and its effectiveness in combating crime in the region.