This book explores the causal relationship between the deregulation of international economic interests and the forms of violence that prevail in a large part of the Global South. More specifically, this book tells the story of how transnational corporations benefitting from increasing deregulation of their international economic interests, account for severe harm, the unrelenting violation of human rights, and maldevelopment in Latin America. Dependent on the structural deficiencies of the Latin American region, this book tests the examples of the extractive industries and multinational expansionism and the link between deregulated economies at the international level and the damaging local effects that increase what is here called maldevelopment.

Introducing the conceptual category of maldevelopment to criminology, the author makes recommendations for further research and outlines a network of possible mechanisms for its prevention and sanction - and for the work of reparation and construction towards the satisfaction of the needs of the victim or victimizable populations. This provocative and original text will be essential reading for those concerned with white collar crime and crimes of the powerful, and for researchers in criminology, sociology, law, political science, development studies and international political economy.