convergence

Sullivan
operations and utilitarian provision of social goods to delegitimize their adversaries (rival
gangs and the state alike). This is a potent example of the assertion authority and the use of
alternative identity narratives as a means of stealing the mantle of sovereignty from the state.
The control of territorial space—ranging from “failed communities” to “failed regions”—
is a critical element of the erosion of state capacity. This includes the exploitation of weak
governance and areas (known as “lawless zones,” “ungoverned spaces,” “other governed spaces,”
or “zones of impunity”) where state challengers have created parallel or dual sovereignty, or
“criminal enclaves,” in a neofeudal political arrangement. The use of instrumental violence,
corruption, information operations (including attacks on journalists, alternative identity
narratives including narcocultura, and assuming the mantle of social bandit), street taxation,
and provision of social goods in a utilitarian fashion are among the tools employed by criminal
actors to secure their freedom of movement and erode the authority of the state.
Impact on the State
Specific variables/indicators that are germane to understanding the impact of TCOs and
networked criminal enclaves on the state include: violence both among cartels and directed at
the state, corruption, degree of transparency, cartel/gang reach, effectiveness of governance/
policing, community stability, effectiveness of economic regulation, and the degree of territorial
control (loss or gain by the state vs. cartels).
The impact of transnational criminal enterprises on state capacity, control of territory, and
legitimacy is critical. All of these activities occur across time. Some changes are slow-moving,
while some are rapid in their expression. Key factors in the pace of change include:
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• social/environmental modification (such as the use of social networking media—
Facebook and Twitter—propaganda/information operations, e.g., narcomantas and
narcocorridos) to further a criminal gang’s perceived social legitimacy
• connections (or network connectivity) between and among criminal enterprises (i.e.,
nodal analysis and social network analysis)
• impact of illicit economic circuits (including connections among criminal actors)
on the legitimacy of borders in global cities and border zones, as well as criminal
penetration and reach
• usurpation of state fiscal roles (taxes, tariffs) by criminal enterprises through street
taxation, protection rackets, and other diversion of public goods or funds
• force including the use of instrumental and symbolic criminal violence (armed attacks,
terrorist campaigns, “corpse messaging,” kidnapping, attacks on police, attacks
on journalists and public officials, and the development and employment of private
armies) challenging the state’s monopoly on legitimate force.