From Disorder to Control: Exploring the Triadic Dynamics of Security, Politics, and Governance In Emerging Digital Crime Landscapes

In an era marked by rapid social change, technological advancement, and increasing global interconnectedness, societies worldwide are confronted with evolving forms of crime and criminality. From cybercrime and transnational organized crime to insurgency, political violence, and hybrid threats, these emerging challenges underscore the intricate relationship between security, politics, and governance. This session invites scholars, researchers, policymakers, and practitioners to critically examine how the dynamic interplay between these three domains—the “triad” of security, politics, and governance—shapes responses to emerging criminal threats. It seeks to foster interdisciplinary dialogue on how governance structures, political interests, and security frameworks can both enable and constrain effective crime control strategies in turbulent contexts. We welcome theoretical, empirical, and policy-oriented contributions that address, but are not limited to, the following themes:

• The role of political institutions and state capacity in addressing emerging crimes
• Governance challenges in fragile, conflict-affected, and transitioning societies
• Security sector reforms and their implications for crime prevention and control
• The politics of policing, surveillance, and intelligence-led interventions
• Community-based and participatory approaches to security governance
• Transnational dimensions of crime and the role of global governance frameworks
• Technology, digital governance, and cybercrime regulation
• Human rights, accountability, and ethical considerations in security responses
• Case studies from the Global South and comparative perspectives

This session aligns with the broader conference theme by exploring how global turbulence—manifested in political instability, economic inequality, and social disruption—reconfigures the landscape of crime and the institutional responses to it.