The Transnational Governance of Violence and Crime ― Non-state Actors in Security

The state monopoly of force has increasingly been challenged by non-state actors, seemingly resulting in a loss of control and resources needed to guarantee security. Yet, non-state actors are not only a cause of problems; they can also contribute to guarantee security. The contributors examine the role of non-state actors in the governance of violence and crime. Current research on non-state actors in security points to the fact that the state monopoly of force has increasingly been challenged, seemingly resulting in a loss of control and resources. In contrast, this volume shows how non-state actors are involved in supporting governmental aims, what they contribute and where the limits are or should be. It demonstrates that even in a core area of the state, transnational governance is possible through the activities of a diverse group of actors, including warlords, rebel groups, criminals, non-governmental organizations and businesses.

Anja P. Jakobi is a Senior Research Associate at the Peace Research Institute Frankfurt and Adjunct Associate Professor at the Technische Universitat of Darmstadt, both in Germany. Her research analyzes international institutions, world society and global political change. Current publications include Common Goods and Evils? The Formation of Global Crime Governance (2013).

Klaus Dieter Wolf is Chair for International Relations at the Technical University of Darmstadt, Germany. He is also Deputy Director at the Peace Research Institute Frankfurt, Germany and Principal Investigator of the cluster of excellence 'Formation of Normative Orders'. His present research focuses on the interplay between private self-regulation and public regulation in global governance.