This volume examines the relationship between states and organized crime. It seeks to add to the theoretical literature for analyzing the criminalization of the state. The volume also explores the nature of organized crime in countries throughout the Americas from Central America to the Southern Cone.

Jonathan D. Rosen is assistant professor of criminal justice at Holy Family University.Bruce Bagleyholds a PhD in political science from the University of California, Los Angeles.Jorge Chabat is professor in the Department of Pacific Studies at the University of Guadalajara.

1.Criminally Possessed States: A Theoretical Approach-Jorge Chabat2.Organized Crime in Mexico: State Fragility, Criminal Enclaves, and a Violent Disequilibrium-Nathan Jones3.The Dimensions of Violence in Mexico:Roberto Zepeda and Jonathan D. Rosen4.Combating Organized Crime, Violence, and Public Insecurity in Mexico: The Case of Tijuana:David Rocha, Roberto Zepeda, and Jonathan D. Rosen5.The Collapse of Mexicos Police and the Militarization of Public Security-Sigrid Arzt6.At a Crossroads: Can Guatemala Prevail in Fight against Violence?Adriana Beltrán7.Chronic Violence, Organized Crime, and the State in El Salvador-Christine J. Wade8.Green Crime: The Environmental Links between States and Organized Crime-Mark Ungar9.Organized Crime and the State in Venezuela under Chavismo-John Polga-Hecimovich10.Making Sense of Colombias Post-Conflict Conflict- Adam Isacson11.Colombia after the FARC-Victor J. Hinojosa12.The Colombian Peace Accord: Historic Achievement, Daunting Obstacles-Bruce Bagley and Jonathan D. Rosen13. Corruption in Colombia-Fernando Cepeda Ulloa14.How Does the State Determines Illegal Drugs and Organize Crime? Evidence from Ecuador- Nashira Chávez and Pryanka Peñafiel15.Coca, Organized Crime, and (Non-)Violence in BoliviaMarten W. Brienen16. Organized Crime and the State in Brazil-Michael Jerome Wolff17.Organized Crime in Argentina: The Politics of Laissez-Faire-Sebastián Antonino Cutrona18.Conclusions-Bruce Bagley, Jorge Chabat, Amanda M. Gurecki, and Jonathan D. Rosen