ABSTRACT
Although this book is mainly concerned with the actual practice of combating international crime, this chapter will discuss in a little more detail some of the contextual factors that can affect its overall success. Notwithstanding its importance as a law enforcement strategy,1 international co-operation cannot be conjured out of thin air. Proper foundations need to be laid and appropriate structures need first to be developed at the national level before they can be launched into the international sphere. One can, perhaps, identify four main factors that influence the environment for co-operation and without which progress in this area is unlikely. These ‘enablers’ are: Politics; Law; Culture; and Capacity.
POLITICS
