Relevance of Peace to Studies of Drug Market Violence

• NCJ Number: 222859
• Journal: Criminology Volume: 46 Issue: 1 Dated: February 2008 Pages: 221-254
• Author(s): Scott Jacques; Richard Wright
• Date Published: February 2008
• Length: 34 pages
• Sponsoring Agency: University of Missouri, St Louis
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Research (Theoretical)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

Based on 50 interviews with individuals actively or recently involved in drug selling, this study examined the various forms of violent and nonviolent resource exchange and social control in illicit drug markets for the purpose of joining Goldstein's (1985) concept of systemic violence with the resource exchange-social control typology.

Abstract

Goldstein classified all forms of violence related to the illicit drug trade under a single heading that he labeled "systemic violence." Under this heading, he provided nine definitions, one conceptual and eight operational. Conceptually, he defined systemic violence as "aggressive patterns of interaction within the system of drug distribution and use." He then specified eight examples of systemic violence that could occur in drug market activities. In connecting Goldstein's concept of systemic violence to the peaceful behavior that often characterizes drug market interactions, this article draws on the resource exchange-social control typology. This typology divides social interactions into two groups: those that involve a pure exchange of resources and those that involve the exercise of social control. Whereas some forms of resource exchange and social control are violent, as described by Goldstein, nonviolent forms of resource exchange also exist, including frauds, thefts, gifts, and sales. Nonviolent forms of informal social control also occur, such as retaliatory theft and fraud, negotiation, avoidance, and toleration. Peace is social interaction without violent predation or retaliation. This article describes the various forms of violent and nonviolent resource exchange and social control in illicit drug markets. The goal is not to provide a theory of drug market behavior, but rather to connect the concept of systemic violence to the important aspects of drug market behavior that involve peaceful trade and peaceful social control. The article concludes by discussing the relevance of both peace and the resource exchange-social control typology to criminology. 3 tables and 97 references