Illegal Drugs, Economy, and Society in the Andes - Softcover

Thoumi, Francisco E. E.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0801878543 ISBN 13: 9780801878541

Publisher: Johns Hopkins University Press, 2004

Synopsis

Some countries develop illegal drugs industries, and others do not. Discerning the distinguishing characteristics―social, economic, and political―of countries with these industries forms the subject of this sophisticated and humane study.

The author, Francisco E. Thoumi, though trained as an economist, rejects simplistic economic solutions as well as simplistic moral ones as he addresses the Andean countries of Peru, Colombia, and Bolivia and the attitudes and responses of the United States. He investigates how the United States and the Andean countries perceive drugs issues; the history, structure, and evolution of drug industries in the Andes; the size of the industries in Peru, Colombia, and Bolivia; and their economic, political, and social effects in each country.

Thoumi also addresses the political systems and social characteristics of these countries and why they have been so vulnerable to influence from these industries. And he offers case studies of a variety of anti-drug efforts including crop substitution and alternative development, eradication, interdiction of illicit traffic and manufacturing facilities, and extradition to the United States of traffickers.

About this title

Review:

"Contributes significantly to the literature, but it especially stands out in its logical organization, comprehensive coverage, broadly multidisciplinary approach, and systematic and comparative analysis."

(Waltraud Queiser Morales Latin Americanist)

"Strong in organization, multidisciplinary approach, and comparative analysis, this volume is a comprehensive overview of the Andean drug problem."

(Choice)

Synopsis:

Some countries develop illegal drugs industries, and others do not. Discerning the distinguishing characteristics - social, economic and political - of countries with these industries forms the subject of this study. The author, Francisco E. Thoumi, though trained as an economist, rejects simplistic economic solutions as well as simplistic moral ones as he addresses the Andean countries of Peru, Colombia and Bolivia and the attitudes and responses of the United States. He investigates how the United States and the Andean countries perceive drugs issues; the history, structure and evolution of drug industries in the Andes; the size of the industries in Peru, Colombia and Bolivia; and their economic, political and social effects in each country. Thoumi also addresses the political systems and social characteristics of these countries and why they have been so vulnerable to influence from these industries, and offers case studies of a variety of anti-drug efforts including crop substitution and alternative development, eradication, interdiction of illicit traffic and manufacturing facilities, and extradition to the United States of traffickers.

About this edition

• Publisher: Johns Hopkins University Press
• Publication date: 2004
• ISBN 10: 0801878543
• ISBN 13: 9780801878541
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 440