1.) Cottee and Hayward’s article describes a number of possible existential motivations for engaging in terrorism. Provide some critical reflections on their findings. What do you think about such “causes” in relation to some others presented by positivists (e.g. Agnew)?
•Cottee, S. and Hayward, K. (2011). Terrorist (e)motives: The existential attractions of terrorism. Studies in Conflict & Terrorism, 34, 963–986.
2.) Annika Van Baarand and Wim Huisman (2012) in their article argue that the role of corporations should not be ignored by criminologists studying international crimes. The case of Topf represents an extensive form of involvement in the Holocaust and is a strong example of how corporations can contribute to and exacerbate international crimes. Topf built the cremation ovens for various concentration and extermination camps in Nazi Germany.
It is clear that existing explanations of corporate crime such as the urge to survive, competition between sub-units, corporate culture, normalization and neutralization are applicable. What are some other examples of state-corporate crimes or corporate complicity in international (or transnational) crimes? What factors in your view influence the motivations of these corporations to participate (feel free to make ref to the article or other sources)?
•Annika Van Baar and Wim Huisman (2012). THE OVEN BUILDERS OF THE HOLOCAUST: A Case Study of Corporate Complicity in International Crimes, BRIT. J. CRIMINOL. 52, 1033–1050
3.) What do you think about the argument that the desire for excitement and adventure (thrill seeking) is what motivates many organized crime figures to continue with their criminal careers and activities even when they have achieved wealth? Can you provide some examples? Or do you think that other factors keep these OC figures in the business in the long run? To which degree the desire for excitement explains the continuity of OC groups?
4.) Are you in favor decriminalization policies and do you agree with critical theorists that state intervention causes more crime? What is your position on this and why?
