Abstract
The increasing sophistication of organized and financial crime poses serious challenges to global stability, requiring responses that span legal, economic, and social realms. Organised Crime, Financial Crime, and Criminal Justice: Theoretical Concepts and Challenges, edited by Dan Jasinski, Amber Phillips, and Ed Johnston, presents a comprehensive, interdisciplinary approach to understanding these complex issues. This book consists of 11 chapters, each exploring a unique dimension of organized and financial crime, from money laundering and asset forfeiture to corporate misconduct and counter-terrorism financing. Through a variety of perspectives, the editors and contributing authors reveal how organized and financial crime intersect, creating systemic vulnerabilities that demand innovative policy responses.
The editors introduce the book's interdisciplinary scope by arguing that tackling organized and financial crime requires collaboration across fields such as criminology, law, sociology, and economics. This is evident in the early chapters, which establish a foundation for understanding the cultural, financial, and policy dimensions that shape organized crime.
Chapter 1, “Italy's Other ‘Other Mafia’: Remediation and Representations of the ‘Ndrangheta,” by Amber Phillips, is one of the most compelling chapters. Phillips investigates the Italian ‘Ndrangheta mafia, examining how cultural narratives and media representations shape public perception and, consequently, policy responses to organized crime. This exploration highlights the role of cultural attitudes in the endurance of criminal groups within society, particularly when they exploit long-standing cultural and social dynamics. Phillips suggests that effective anti-crime strategies require dismantling not only financial networks but also the deep-seated cultural perceptions that can normalize or romanticize organized crime.
Chapter 3, “Unexplained Wealth Orders and the Right Not to Self-Incriminate,” by Marnie Lovejoy, shifts the focus to legal frameworks, specifically the use of unexplained wealth orders (UWOs) in the UK. UWOs are designed to target wealth suspected of being acquired through criminal activities by compelling individuals to disclose the sources of their assets. While Lovejoy acknowledges UWOs as a robust tool in combating financial crime, she raises concerns about potential conflicts with individual rights, such as the presumption of innocence and the right against self-incrimination. Her analysis urges caution in the implementation of UWOs, suggesting they should be used in a way that balances crime-fighting objectives with individual legal protections. This chapter epitomizes the book's commitment to discussing practical solutions that respect both security and civil rights.
Chapter 4, “The Introduction of Anti-Money Laundering Legislation in the Vatican City State,” by Susan Clark Garnett, examines the Vatican's recent antimoney laundering (AML) efforts, detailing its transformation from a historically opaque financial institution to one that aligns with international AML standards. Garnett provides an in-depth look at the Vatican's unique regulatory environment, a city-state with distinct legal and cultural considerations. Her analysis underscores the importance of small jurisdictions such as the Vatican in contributing to global AML initiatives. This case study highlights the challenges and successes of AML reforms in non-traditional jurisdictions, reinforcing the need for international cooperation to combat financial crime effectively.
The theme of financial regulation continues with Chapter 5, “How and to What Extent Has Public–Private Financial Information Sharing Improved the UK's Counter-Terrorist Financing Reporting Regime?” by Charlie Robson and Nicholas Ryder. This chapter focuses on counter-terrorism financing, emphasizing the role of public–private partnerships in the UK. The authors discuss initiatives such as the Joint Money Laundering Intelligence Taskforce (JMLIT), which facilitates collaboration between financial institutions and law enforcement agencies. By enabling real-time data sharing, JMLIT and similar initiatives exemplify the benefits of collaborative intelligence in combatting terrorism financing. However, Robson and Ryder caution that these frameworks require ongoing refinement to address new and evolving threats, reinforcing the book's broader theme of adaptive policy solutions.
In a forward-looking chapter, Chapter 7, “Crypto-Assets and Criminality: A Critical Review Focusing on Money Laundering and Terrorism Financing,” Ilias Kapsis discusses the risks and regulatory challenges posed by crypto-assets such as Bitcoin. Kapsis explains how the decentralized nature of cryptocurrencies attracts individuals and organizations seeking to bypass traditional financial oversight. The chapter calls for strengthened regulatory frameworks that keep pace with technological advancements, aiming to preserve financial integrity without stifling innovation. Kapsis’ discussion highlights the need for agile policymaking to address emerging risks in digital finance, underscoring the book's emphasis on the intersection between technology and financial crime.
Chapter 8, “Setting the Conditions of Competition: Repositioning the Neoliberal State in the Fraud Debate,” by Kate Tudor, examines the role of neoliberal policies in fostering financial crime within corporate settings. Tudor argues that the profit-driven ethos of neoliberalism can unintentionally promote harmful corporate behaviors, which may destabilize economies and exploit consumers. Her analysis critiques corporate governance structures that prioritize profits over ethical considerations, adding depth to the book's exploration of financial crime within the corporate sector. Tudor's chapter is especially relevant in light of increasing public scrutiny over corporate influence and the role of political lobbying in shaping financial regulations.
The book's strength is its interdisciplinary approach, which integrates practical case studies with theoretical insights. By featuring experts from various fields, the book presents a balanced discussion that moves beyond traditional criminological perspectives. The chapters on culture, policy, and technology provide a well-rounded understanding of how organized and financial crime operate across different contexts, making the book accessible to both scholars and practitioners. This approach combines theoretical depth with real-world applicability, giving readers a comprehensive perspective on the intricate dynamics between crime and policy.
Overall, Organised Crime, Financial Crime, and Criminal Justice: Theoretical Concepts and Challenges provides a crucial interdisciplinary approach to understanding organized and financial crime, combining theoretical insights with practical case studies that highlight complex issues such as UWOs, counter-terrorism financing, and crypto-assets. This book is highly relevant for academics, policymakers, and law enforcement professionals seeking innovative policy solutions that balance regulation with civil liberties. By including diverse perspectives, the editors encourage a critical examination of the links between crime, governance, and justice, making this book an essential resource for addressing contemporary challenges in criminal justice. Finally, the reviewer would like to express gratitude to Lembaga Pengelola Dana Pendidikan, the Ministry of Finance, Republic of Indonesia, for supporting this review article through a scholarship program.
