The dynamics of envy in the street field: A sociology of emotions approach to violence in retail drug market

Although emotions are integral to criminal violence, little research has explicitly explored the role of emotions in drug market violence. This study uses the ‘sociology of emotions’ and the concept of ‘street field’ to understand how envy shapes conflicts in a retail drug market. The study draws upon 31 in-depth interviews conducted with male retail drug dealers in Uyo, Nigeria. Envy, a pervasive feature of a highly conflictual street market field, was contextualized by conditions of structural inequality. Specifically, relatively successful dealers, envied due to their monopoly of respect, status and ostentatious lifestyle, were targets of covert acts of violence and sabotage expressed through set-ups by envious rivals. Dealers who were victimized out of envy often responded in skilful ways that reduced risk and costs through de-escalation of violence. The findings have implications for violence prevention, including the importance of providing alternative means of livelihoods and social recognition for drug dealers.