Publication Date

5-2020

Date of Final Oral Examination (Defense)

3-2-2020

Type of Culminating Activity

Thesis

Degree Title

Master of Arts in Political Science

Department

Political Science

Supervisory Committee Chair

Ross Burkhart, Ph.D.

Supervisory Committee Member

Nisha Bellinger, Ph.D.

Supervisory Committee Member

Chris Birdsall, Ph.D.

Abstract

The presence of organized crime is common across all income levels, but the effects of organized crime differ between low-income and middle-income countries. Institutionally, socially, and economically, criminal organizations make contributions which affect the states they are in. This paper theorizes that the contributions made by organized crime help development in low-income countries, then later harms development in middle-income countries. Empirical tests find that the direct effects of organized crime are not significant in low and middle-income countries. The indirect effects of organized crime – corruption in the public sector — have a negative effect on development.

DOI

10.18122/td/1669/boisestate

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