Abstract

CANO, Ignacio; ASCENSIO, Christian; GALVAN, Ismael  and  BARENDTS, Colin. Gangs from the Global South: Between youth groups and organized crime. Rev. Mex. Sociol [online]. 2025, vol.87, n.1, pp.9-40.  Epub Feb 21, 2025. ISSN 2594-0651.  https://doi.org/10.22201/iis.01882503p.2025.1.62700.

In this article, gangs from Mexico City and Cape Town are analysed comparatively. The proposed concept of gang joins sociability and transgression and is translated into a continuum ranging from youth groups to organized crime. The hypothesis is that the position on this continuum affects the structure, operations and recruitment. South African gangs, close to organized crime, are structured and recruit strategically. Mexican gangs, close to youth groups, are less organized and do not plan their recruitment. In addition, the cultural elements behind the emergence of gangs and the role of violence are explored.

Keywords : gangs; Mexico; South Africa; violence; organized crime; youth groups.

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