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Networks and Network Analysis for Defence and Security pp 49–61Cite as

Macrosocial Network Analysis: The Case of Transnational Drug Trafficking

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Part of the book series: Lecture Notes in Social Networks ((LNSN))

Abstract

The social network perspective is a fruitful way to understand criminal organizations. Most analyses are based on networks of relations between individuals or small groups of individuals. Yet contextual (or macrosocial) factors may be crucial for a complete understanding of criminal activity. This chapter aims to put criminal activity in the larger context in which it takes place. More precisely, it is argued that country-level features may complicate or facilitate legitimate business as well as criminal activities. A brief review of the literature on macrosocial network analysis and a framework for the study of transnational criminal activities are provided. Various sources of information are described and commented.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    Most of these works did not use network analysis techniques although they employ network-related vocabulary.

  2. 2.

    The data is compiled through the “Significant drug seizure report” and available on the UNODC website. The UNODC defines thresholds of significant quantities used as 1 kg or more for marijuana and 100 g or more for cocaine and heroin.

  3. 3.

    Based on a systematic review of information contained in 48 annual reports and country overviews published by the UNODC, the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (BINLEA), the International Narcotics Control Board (INCB), and the European Monitoring Center for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA).

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Acknowledgements

The author would like to thank Pierre Tremblay and Carlo Morselli for their comments on previous versions of this paper.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. International Centre for Comparative Criminology, University of Montreal, Montreal, Canada

    Rémi Boivin

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  1. Rémi Boivin
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Correspondence to Rémi Boivin .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. University of Leicester, Leicester, United Kingdom

    Anthony J. Masys

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Boivin, R. (2014). Macrosocial Network Analysis: The Case of Transnational Drug Trafficking. In: Masys, A. (eds) Networks and Network Analysis for Defence and Security. Lecture Notes in Social Networks. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-04147-6_3

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