Violence, organized crime, and illicit drug markets: a Canadian case study

Authors

  • Stephen Schneider

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.7458/SPP2013712334

Abstract

This article tests two inter-related theories on the situational causes of violence in illicit drug markets: (i) drug markets that are unstable are more prone to violence and (ii) there is a higher risk of instability, and hence conflict and violence, in drug
markets characterized by pure competition. These theories are applied to the violence that occurred between the Hells Angels and its rivals over dominance in Quebec's lucrative cocaine market during the 1990s. The theory that violence stems
from instability in an illicit market is applicable to this case study. However, Quebec's cocaine marketwas characterized by oligopolistic conditions and the ensuing violence stemmed from the Hells Angels' efforts to maintain hegemony in that market. This paper argues that oligopolistic and monopolistic conditions in illicit drug markets may heighten the risk of conflict and violence because such conditions inhibit competition.

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Published

2013-02-07

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Section

Artigos