ABSTRACT
This chapter explores how the concept of Principled Engagement might be applied to efforts to transform today's "violent economies" and the violent regimes, both state and non-state, that rule them. It examines how Ostracism and Business as Usual approaches to human rights engagement with authoritarian regimes affect their illicit economic behaviour. The chapter provides an introduction to the role that illicit economic activity plays in sustaining violent, repressive and authoritarian groups' rule in today's globalised economy. It explores how the apparatus of criminalisation, control and punishment that the international community has built in the last two decades has served in some cases to drive those regimes closer to illicit, violent economic actors and activities. The chapter also explores how the concept of Principled Engagement might be applied in dealing with the connections between human rights abuse by ruling regimes and their access to illicit finance. It concludes some of the policy implications of the analysis are explored.
