This book offers a comprehensive, multidimensional look into the major activities, groups, causes, and policing strategies related to global organized crime.

Global Organized Crime: A Reference Handbook examines global organized crime dating back to its 17th-century roots. Unlike most works on the subject, which take a parochial approach by concentrating on individual countries or regions, this book uniquely details the impact of 21st-century globalization on such groups and their activities.

Exploring the continuum of international organized crime and related developments from its early beginnings to the present era, the book also looks at the complicated issues that continue to influence its growth. It covers the impact of the end of the Cold War, immigration, the global drug trade, weapons sales, human smuggling and trafficking, the convergence of funding sources, and the effects of technology. What especially distinguishes this book is the connections it makes between organized crime activities and failed states, civil wars, political transitions, regional conflicts, and terrorist groups.

• A separate chapter offers the most significant primary documents and sources related to organized crime over the past century, including reports from the United Nations, the European Union, Interpol, and other organizations
• Includes annotated resource listings of the most significant books, articles, journals, websites, and documentaries on globalization and organized crime so readers can pursue further research
• Provides a glossary of close to 60 important topics, individuals, and groups