Linking political violence and crime in Latin America: myths, realities, and complexities

This book examines the relationship between politics, crime, and violence in Latin America with the aim of moving away from overly simplified views of the region. Instead, it engages in deeper structural analysis, making use of a range of approaches with the wider aim of improving policies that seek to reduce the impact of crime-related violence.

Introduction: politics, crime, and violence in Latin America / Kirsten Howarth and Jenny H. Peterson --. - The politics of crime, violence, and policy / Jenny H. Peterson --. - Gang conflict and drug trafficking: challenges and opportunities for conflict resolution in Mexico and Central America / Ami C. Carpenter --. - Unpacking post-conflict violence and crime in El Salvador: the role of public security / Kirsten Howarth --. - Prison violence and change: the impact of crime control policies on Honduran prisons / Lirio Gutiérrez Rivera --. - Violence and place-belongingness: myths and realities of violence in Colombia / Mateja Celestina --. - Conclusion: thematic linkages, deviations, and policy implications / Kirsten Howarth and Jenny H. Peterson