Systematic Crimes of the Powerful: Criminal Aspects of the Global Economy

Mackenzie, S. (2006) Systematic Crimes of the Powerful: Criminal Aspects of the Global Economy. Social Justice, 33(1), pp. 162-182.

Abstract

Considers whether harms consequent on the workings of the global economy -- to the extent that 47% of the world's population lives in abject poverty, together earning a mere 0.25% of total global income -- can be considered criminal. The criminality of breaches of international & civil law & deviations from accepted human rights standards is evaluated, focusing on the role of the three major international financial institutions (IFIs), particularly the World Bank & International Monetary Fund, & the World Trade Organization. Their policies & procedures are examined & some of the harms they have caused are identified, then evaluated in terms of relevant provisions of domestic criminal laws on murder & gross negligent manslaughter in England & Wales. The G8's recent cancellation of the debt of 18 of the world's poorest countries is reconsidered in terms of their actual impacts on poverty alleviation & the notion of 'altruism as deviance' is advanced.

• Item Type: Articles
• Keywords: Altruism, Antipoverty Programs, Criminality, Debts, Globalization, International Economic Organizations, North And South, Poverty, World Economy
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Mackenzie, Professor Simon
• Authors: Mackenzie, S.
• College/School: College of Social Sciences > School of Social and Political Sciences > Sociology Anthropology and Applied Social Sciences
• Journal Name: Social Justice
• ISSN: 1043-1578