Diamond Trafficking

2020 ◽  
pp. 71-88
Author(s):  
Simon Mackenzie
Keyword(s):  
Final Section ◽  
Business Enterprise ◽  
Certification Scheme ◽  
Kimberley Process ◽  
Conflict Diamonds ◽  
And Control ◽  
Ideological Work

This chapter addresses diamond trafficking in four sections: the nature and extent of the harm; the structure of diamond trafficking (considered in terms of source, transit and demand); regulation and control; and finally a discussion about diamond trafficking as illicit business enterprise. The controversy around conflict diamonds is reviewed, along with the routines of mining, trafficking, refining and the marketplace. The changing nature of the international diamond market is noted, and the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme is discussed along with its critics. In the final section, we consider the symbolic nature of diamonds and the ideological work that has gone into creating this symbolism. Reports from brokers and traffickers in the diamond market are referred to in support of the proposition that diamond trafficking is framed by participants as ‘just business’.

Arms Trafficking

2020 ◽  
pp. 89-104
Author(s):  
Simon Mackenzie
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Final Section ◽  
Supply And Demand ◽  
Small Time ◽  
Business Enterprise ◽  
Cultural Considerations ◽  
State Involvement ◽  
Consumer Markets ◽  
High Level ◽  
And Control

This chapter addresses arms trafficking in four sections: the nature and extent of the harm; the structure of arms trafficking (considered in terms of source, transit and demand); regulation and control; and finally a discussion about arms trafficking as business enterprise. The various routines and usual patterns of arms trafficking are reviewed, including vulnerable stockpiles, markets in military weapons, state involvement, and large-scale trafficking, as well as consumer markets and small-time smuggling. The structure of arms trafficking networks is considered, looking at facilitators and brokers as well as the central players such as notorious high-level traffickers like Viktor Bout. Regulation and prosecution is shown to be challenging, with various factors inherent to this form of trafficking adding up to severe difficulties for those who aim to control the problem. As with other chapters, the final section works through the business aspects of arms trafficking, integrating emotional and cultural considerations into the cold economics of the crime, to give us a rounded view of the supply and demand dynamics in markets for illegal weapons.

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