Researcher ORCID Identifier
https://orcid.org/0009-0005-7090-7761
Graduation Year
2024
Date of Submission
12-2023
Document Type
Campus Only Senior Thesis
Degree Name
Bachelor of Arts
Department
International Relations
Reader 1
Jordan Branch
Terms of Use & License Information
Rights Information
© 2023 Alessandra V Diaz
Abstract
Since the end of the Cold War, countless communities have been severely impacted by the parasitical nature of the criminal drug trade. Although a “hot topic” issue, there has been little advancement in solving the crime epidemic. Current and past policies have had little or negative effects on the victims from organized crime. This thesis aims to answer the question “what causes illicit economies to take place and where”. After giving some background on the topic, on historical cases and current trends, a comparison between two popular theories will provide different perspectives on the matter. The more convincing, “weak state capacity” model focuses on the Latin American cocaine trade. Therefore, to add to its validity, I will apply it to the Central Asian Opium trade to see if the theory holds up across regions. This paper helps clarify the cause of the illicit drug economies so that the knowledge can serve to make more sustainable prevention policies.
Recommended Citation
Diaz, Alessandra, "How Weak State Capacity Explains the Formation of Illicit Economies: Comparing Latin American Cocaine Trade and Central Asian Opium Trade" (2024). CMC Senior Theses. 3447.
https://scholarship.claremont.edu/cmc_theses/3447
This thesis is restricted to the Claremont Colleges current faculty, students, and staff.
