The Conducive Environment: Reconceptualising the exploitation of human beings

Green, Simon; Heys, Alicia; Barlow, Craig

Abstract

Where does exploitation start and stop? When does cheap labour become forced labour? Where is the line drawn between destitution and coercion? These questions have never been properly answered and as a result the understanding and response to issues such as modern slavery is trapped in arguments about global inequalities, border control, and interpersonal versus political harm. A new definition of exploitation is developed that delivers an original conceptual framework for understanding why some people in some spaces are more likely to be exploited. Based on ‘tight’ and ‘loose’ social bonds the conducive environment explains the conditions of disruption, isolation, entitlement and desperation in which exploitation flourishes and provides a brand-new model for investigating the exploitation of human beings.

Citation

Green, S., Heys, A., & Barlow, C. (online). The Conducive Environment: Reconceptualising the exploitation of human beings. The British journal of criminology, Article azaf046. https://doi.org/10.1093/bjc/azaf046

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: May 14, 2025
• Online Publication Date: Jul 12, 2025
• Deposit Date: Jul 2, 2025
• Publicly Available Date: Jul 14, 2025
• Print ISSN: 0007-0955
• Publisher: Oxford University Press
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Article Number: azaf046
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/bjc/azaf046
• Keywords: Exploitation; Human trafficking; Modern slavery; Forced labour; Social bonds
• Public URL: https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/5282447