Stuart Brown and Margaret Hermann
In their new book, “Transnational Crime and Black Spots: Rethinking Sovereignty and the Global Economy,” published by Palgrave MacMillan, Maxwell School faculty members Stuart Brown and Margaret Hermann examine 80 safe havens across the globe from which transnational criminal, insurgent and terrorist organizations operate—areas they term “black spots.” Like the black holes in astronomy that challenge Newtonian physics and black markets that pose problems for the legal economy, these “black spots” challenge the Westphalian state system and our notions of sovereignty. These places are sustained by illicit activities and function outside state-based government control.
In the book, Brown and Hermann explore how black spots come to exist, their functions and the illicit activities for which they are known and the organizations that govern them. The authors trace the flows of insecurity between and among the black spots and provide a view of the illicit networks and key hubs that result. In doing so, they identify cross-border patterns not previously discussed in the literature. Given recent increases in internet-based transborder crime, the authors also explore whether similar sites can be identified in cyberspace. They conclude “Transnational Crime and Black Spots” by identifying and discussing some of the key challenges these safe havens pose for law enforcement and governance at both the national and international levels.
Brown is director of the master of arts in international relations degree program and vice chair of public administration and international affairs. His teaching and research focus on international macroeconomics and political economy. He is the author of “The Future of US Global Power: Delusions of Decline,” also published by Palgrave MacMillan. Before coming to Syracuse, he worked at the International Monetary Fund, and as chief economist for Central and Eastern Europe, the Middle East and Africa at BNP-Paribas and Bank of America.
Hermann is the Gerald B. and Daphna Cramer Professor of Global Affairs and director of the Moynihan Institute of Global Affairs. She is the author or editor of 11 books and over 100 academic, technical and policy papers. Her research focuses on the study of leadership and the management of conflict and crises. She has created leadership profiles of heads of state, insurgent and terrorist leaders, government executives, and those in charge of transnational nongovernmental organizations.
You can read more about their new book on the Palgrave MacMillan website.
Story by Dominic Wilkins, graduate student in the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs.
