In this landmark study, James Cockayne provides a rich and thoroughly researched history of the interaction between mafias and the state, while providing a framework for considering the strategic calculations of all criminal organisations. -- Sir Lawrence Freedman, Emeritus Professor of War Studies, King's College London
Remarkable, a landmark in organised crime research. Cockayne, uniquely both an analyst and practitioner, is the first person to bridge the divide between the study of what we have traditionally called 'the mafia' and a new generation of organised crime in the developing world. This will be the standard reference for all those debating the policy options for illicit trafficking and the role of criminal organisations in the age of globalisation. -- Mark Shaw, Director, Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime
We've known for some time that globalization blurs boundaries and conventional categories like public/private and national/international. This extraordinary book adds a new factor into the mix: the transnational strategies criminal organizations deploy to shape governmental power in order to maximize criminal rents. The compelling narrative takes us on a geographic tour that includes Sicily, New York, Cuba and conflicts in Mexico and the Sahel. Even more impressive is the analytical tour Cockayne provides--a tour de force illuminating a blind spot in our understanding of global instability. -- John G. Ruggie, Berthold Beitz Professor in Human Rights and International Affairs, Harvard University
We need to rethink our understanding of international politics, as states compete with powerful private actors, and the distinction between public and private agendas gets increasingly blurred. James Cockayne's exploration of the influence of criminal networks makes an important contribution to our understanding of a world in which the power of money and crime redefines the politics of power. -- Jean-Marie Guehenno, CEO, International Crisis Group
Hidden Power is a well-sourced, thoughtful tome filled with useful insights. It offers nuance and originality while addressing a topic too often overrun with derivative fear-mongering. * InSight Crime *
