An exercise in futility? A critical analysis of anti-organized crime measures in the Russian Federation

This dissertation examines legislative measures undertaken by the Russian government directed against organized crime. It specifically examines governmental measures pursued in two areas reputed to be dominated by organized criminal entities---human trafficking and money laundering.; Chapter I examines the difficulties for effectively dealing with organized criminal entities arising from the lack of a comprehensive definition of "organized crime" and the manipulation of those definitions that do exist. It discusses popular perceptions of "organized crime," the use---and abuse---of this term by various individual and institutional entities within Russia, as well as certain misconceptions associated with attempts to provide an all-encompassing definition of this phenomenon.; Chapter II examines the effectiveness of the anti-human trafficking measures adopted by the Russian government. It concentrates on the economic, political and sociological reasons for the increase in this activity in Russia, and examines the individuals and organizations involved in trafficking as well as the methods they use to control the victims of trafficking. It further critically assesses the current state of the law regarding human trafficking.; Chapter III discusses the developments leading to the passage of the anti-money laundering legislation in the Russian Federation and analyzes the effectiveness of current anti-money laundering legislation as a tool for combating organized crime. It critically examines the current international anti-money laundering standards, paying particular attention to the merging of the anti-organized crime and anti-terrorism financing regimes. The Chapter further discusses the implementation of the international anti-money laundering standards in Russia and assesses the effectiveness of such standards in reducing the proliferation of organized criminal entities.; Finally, the dissertation draws some general conclusions regarding the problem of defining organized crime in the 21st century, and examines some of the reasons as to why Russia's anti-organized crime measures have thus far failed to curb the spread of organized criminal activities. It then highlights some of the global aspects of the phenomenon that make control of organized crime a challenge for all governments, not just that of the Russian Federation.