Filling Governance and Development Vacuums: A Role for Development Actors or Criminal Groups?

In fragile and conflict-affected states, on the surface, organised crime can have a stabilising influence. While this can be beneficial in the short-term, it can reinforce structures and systems that undermine democracy, good governance and promote structural violence and corruption. The governance and development vacuums that provide opportunities for criminal groups, can also open new entry points to address organised crime. This chapter critically reviews the governance and development roles of criminal groups and assesses the potential of development, and particularly governance programmes to respond.