Values in Transition: A Sociological Analysis of Social Normalization and Trust in Illicit Behaviour Networks

• In Event: Global and Transnational Sociology Section Roundtables
  In Refereed Roundtable (60 minute): 11. Changing Orders of Power

Abstract

In an era marked by global disruptions, economic volatility, and the rapid reconfiguration of the so called “New World Order,” societal values are undergoing profound shifts. This paper explores how collective behaviors and moral frameworks adapt during such turbulent periods by examining the social normalization of illicit trade networks. Rather than treating transnational illicit flows solely as security threats or isolated criminal phenomena, this research reframes them as reflections of evolving societal values.

Using Spain as a strategic case study, the research maps the socio cultural architecture underpinning illicit trade. Historically and geographically positioned at the crossroads of Europe, Africa, and Latin America, Spain functions as a major global gateway. Yet the analysis moves beyond logistical dimensions to investigate the “social drivers” embedded in local contexts. Economic inequality, shifting cultural norms, migration pressures, and declining institutional trust converge to sustain these networks. In such transit hubs, global market demands intersect with local vulnerabilities, generating alternative socio economic structures.

To unpack these dynamics, the study integrates three behavioral frameworks: Strain, Rational Choice, and Social Learning theories. Strain theory explains how structural marginalization pushes individuals toward informal economies. Rational Choice highlights the calculated decisions of actors who weigh state imposed risks against immediate material gains. Social Learning theory reveals how illicit practices are transmitted, normalized, and reproduced across generations, embedding illegal activities into everyday routines.

A central theme is “cultural tolerance.” In regions shaped by prolonged economic turbulence, smuggling evolves into a normalized survival strategy, forming alternative moral economies. Here, illicit practices lose their stigma and are reframed as reasonable or necessary. This tolerance challenges state centric notions of legality and reflects shifting community allegiances.
Ultimately, the study contributes to COST Action CA24150 (VISTA) by demonstrating that addressing illicit flows requires understanding the social normalization that sustains them.

Author

• Rubén Tamboleo García, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid