Exploring definitions of serious crime in EU policy documents and academic publications: a content analysis and policy implications

In recent years the term “serious crime” has gained prominence in EU policy on internal security. This article analyzes how the EU policy and scientific communities have conceptualized and operationalized the term. Through a content analysis, it evaluates the articulation and use of “serious crime”...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Paoli, Letizia 1966- (Author)
Format: Electronic Article
Language:English
Published: 2017
In: European journal on criminal policy and research
Year: 2017, Volume: 23, Issue: 3, Pages: 269-285
Online Access: Volltext (Resolving-System)
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Keywords:
EU crime control policy
Europol
Harm
Internal security
Organized crime
Serious crime
SOCTA
Innere Sicherheit
Organisierte Kriminalität
Description
Summary:In recent years the term “serious crime” has gained prominence in EU policy on internal security. This article analyzes how the EU policy and scientific communities have conceptualized and operationalized the term. Through a content analysis, it evaluates the articulation and use of “serious crime” in EU policy documents published from 1995–2013 and scientific articles published from 2004–13 that include the term (n = 93 and n = 104, respectively). The analysis demonstrates deficits of conceptualization and operationalization and a correspondingly weak foundation for policy. While the EU’s increasing emphasis on serious crime could represent an opportunity to improve the accountability of EU crime control policies, it is up to academics and policy-makers to address these deficits.
ISSN:1572-9869
DOI:10.1007/s10610-016-9333-y