Policing the globe (Book review)
Andreas and Nadelmann have all it takes to write on such an important topic of policing the globe. Andreas teaches political science at Brown University and has conducted far-reaching and extensive research on the border between the United States of America and Mexico. Nadelmann is the head of alliance of Drug policy .He is the most experienced person and a supporter of drug reform. In addition, Nadelmann has had a general interest in the control of crime worldwide. He indeed laid the ground work for writing this book with his Cops Across the Borders that was published in 1993 by Penn University Press. (Dominguez)
Policing the globe is an academic masterpiece that will be much used by researchers and students as well because of its readable nature. This is unlike most academic works that are confusing and not easy to read. It is a pity that the pair has provided enough information pertaining to the genesis of a more coordinated and integrated global police network. It is of utmost importance that the nations pay attention given the rate of hastening of the integration resulting from the 911 terrorist attacks (Andreas 174)
This book is completely dense. It is the kind of writing where the readers are compelled to underline the most important and significant parts only to find that they are underlining almost the whole book.
Well, the main reason for the rise in cooperation among the countries is because of the perceived or real increase in international crime. The desire for globalization of criminal justice becomes very important as a result of rise in international networks of criminals. (Andreas 13).Sounds really good reason but according to Andreas and Nadelmann (Andreas and Nadelmann 22), this is not the most likely reason. The writers reject the traditional belief in the rise in crime as a result of globalization and instead say that this is a ruthless effort by the western world to provide their own definition of crime so as to gain politically, economically and more so impose their morals on other countries. Their exposition has also changed the way I viewed the two issues crime and globalization. I was with the traditional crowd that so a direct relationship between the two aspects.
The process of global crime control has taken several centuries starting with attempts to fight international piracy, slave trade, efforts to deter oppression of political rivals ,the drive against international human trafficking and prostitution ,the fight against drug trafficking and the war against terrorist activities. (Andreas, 25)
The most common thinking on the role of police in response to these types of criminal activities does not provide a conclusive answer. We may be required to ask ourselves what are these criminal activities and why are they a threat This is because the most common serious crimes on the global scale are drugs, laundering of money, human being trafficking and violence perpetuated against political opponents in addition to terrorism. (Andreas 28).
The book examines a topic that is very important in international relationships just like criminal law. The authors give an overview of the future aspects of criminal law and international policing. The authors observe that it is of paramount importance to integrate political and social understanding in order to be able to understand the apparent rise in international crime control. (Andreas 88).
In the political case, it is understood that strong countries try to impose their wills on those that are weak and in this case they show how it has happened. From the start it was Europe that started this type of oppression followed recently by the United States of America especially after the Second World War. The United States has been able to impose its criminal justice process and desires on a world wide scale. This has resulted in the homogenization of the international criminal law and procedure. (Andreas 99)
But it also worth to note here that the American are not always concerned about national security ,their economy and politics but also have a burning desire to fight against all manner of evil and preferences for morality. The authors refer to moral advocacy that cuts across the nations and how it has fuelled the rise in modern day slavery and drug resistant states. Therefore the authors lay down a basis for understanding how global criminal activities are established. (Andreas 8)
At the middle of their work the authors clearly describe the development of crime control and management .In some cases they give detailed explanation of how there has been a rise in global cooperation against the European perceived assassins and criminals and how they are being replaced gradually as the main source of criminal activities by the United States. And because of this the FBI and DEA have branches in several countries across the globe at the moment (Andreas 135)
The question to ask is where is the next stop from here The writers say that the fight against drug trafficking is likely to stay around with us for some period of time regardless of its malfunctioning and security damage. But the authors are unanimous that the failure of an international prevention administration does not necessarily amount to the demise of such a noble idea. Rather it is a symbolic gesture that it will overcome the current moral dissatisfaction. Open dissatisfaction from the regime is highly unlikely any time soon (Andreas 57) Nevertheless they do identify some problems around the corner. One, that the international agreement on marijuana is coming down and secondly, that the rise of Eva Morales as the president of Bolivia could lead to the demise of the UN Single resolution embargo on the cola plant. (Andreas 245)
Although the writers have given an all inclusive approach to international policing by the use of complicated method, their theory generally lacks an empirical undertone. Their tone in some part sounds biased especially with respect to the fight against drug trafficking. At some point the usage of the word entrepreneur in almost all the sections of the book could confuse the reader since it has several meanings in each context (Andreas 240)
But Policing the Globe is a big issue than the fight against illegal drugs like marijuana and it raises critical concerns that will lead to a global police situation. All in all the writers have done a good job and this book is very important for anyone with an interest in global policing. Given some of the future expectations of the authors, this book is worthy reading by anybody interested in keeping the world at peace. I highly recommend it.