Everything Changes, but Everything Stays the Same? A Longitudinal Social Network Analysis of Port Policing in Brazil

• In Event: POLWG Panel 2: Plural Policing: Public-Private Partnerships and Citizen Engagement

Abstract

A theoretical and normative criminological debate has revolved around the position of the state in policing — an activity traditionally associated with the police but increasingly recognized as plural. Researchers aligned with the relational perspective have empirically contributed to this debate by mapping the structure of social networks underlying policing and identifying the positions occupied by different public and private organizations within a set of formal and informal relationships. However, among other aspects, literature reviews have emphasized the lack of longitudinal research that addresses the evolution of networks over time. This article presents the results of a doctoral thesis that aimed to fill these gaps by researching the Port of Santos in Brazil, the largest port in South America and the primary departure point for cocaine exported to the European continent. How is the port security network structured? Which actors occupy central positions? To what extent are these structures and positions dynamic or stable over time? To answer these questions, the research is based on 47 semi-structured in-depth interviews with public and private organizational managers, conducted over two periods and analyzed using social network analysis. The results indicate that networks are dynamic and constantly changing, yet largely maintain their structure and central positions over time. At the center of the network are predominantly public organizations, though specific private organizations also hold central positions — albeit their centrality can be seen as 'dominated' due to the numerous links they establish for regulatory compliance.

Author

• Gabriel Patriarca, University of São Paulo (USP)