Gangs and governance in Russia: the paradox of law and lawlessness

Stephenson, Svetlana (2019) Gangs and governance in Russia: the paradox of law and lawlessness. Global Crime, 20 (2). pp. 115-133. ISSN 1744-0580

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Abstract / Description

The paper addresses the nature of gang governance. It questions the notion that gangs regulate social and economic transactions and create stable orders in certain territories. It shows that, while presenting themselves as upholders of the ‘law’ in their territory, the gangs also create a climate of uncertainty and fear. The gangs manipulate their own unwritten rules and set up traps for residents and businessmen. These traps are designed to deprive non-gang civilians of presumed rights and identities and extort their money. The paper uses Schmitt’s notion of ‘state of exception’ and Agamben’s idea of ‘bare life’ to explain how gangs function.

Item Type:	Article
Additional Information:	** From Crossref via Jisc Publications Router
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Gangs, organised crime, criminal governance, street violence
Subjects:	300 Social sciences > 360 Social problems & services; associations
Department:	School of Social Sciences (to June 2021) School of Social Sciences and Professions
SWORD Depositor:	Pub Router
Depositing User:	Pub Router
Date Deposited:	09 Aug 2019 14:57
Last Modified:	18 Sep 2019 09:05
URI:	https://repository.londonmet.ac.uk/id/eprint/5053

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