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Private–Public or Public–Private? Strategic Dialogue on Serious Crime and Terrorism in the EU

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Abstract

This paper reports on a qualitative study commissioned by the European Union (EU) and intended to help to improve strategic, pan-European security dialogue and partnership between the private and public sectors. The study draws on interviews with security managers at European level and on a reading of relevant EU policy documents. Most consultees argued for a “trusted forum”, in which security professionals would trade their knowledge and expertise, rather than “representing” specific private firms or state agencies. As the study was being conducted, there was a political tilt in “ownership” within the European Commission, the public–private security dossier being relinquished by its Directorate General for Justice Freedom and Security (Third Pillar) and being gained by DG Enterprise and Industry (First Pillar). Scanning the policy context, the paper suggests that security cooperation, hitherto conceptualised as public–private (public sector lead), should be understood as private–public, as security serves economic concerns.

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Acknowledgements

The authors gratefully acknowledge a 2006 contract from the European Commission (DG JLS), the cooperation of security managers in several companies, assistance from law enforcement and judicial agency staff, and the helpful comments of two anonymous referees and the editor of this journal. Nevertheless, and as usual, all matters of fact and interpretation remain the responsibility of the authors.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Social Sciences, Cardiff University, Wales, Cardiff CF10 3WT, U.K.

    Nicholas Dorn & Michael Levi

  2. School of Law, Erasmus University Rotterdam, Burgemeester Oudlaan 50, Rotterdam, The Netherlands

    Nicholas Dorn

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  1. Nicholas Dorn
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  2. Michael Levi
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Correspondence to Nicholas Dorn or Michael Levi.

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Dorn, N., Levi, M. Private–Public or Public–Private? Strategic Dialogue on Serious Crime and Terrorism in the EU. Secur J 22, 302–316 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1057/palgrave.sj.8350086

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