The Definitions with a Prefix ‘Narco-’, and a Real Conundrum in West Africa

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Abstract

The problem of drug trafficking has been discussed, taking two dimensions in historiography: political and heuristic-practical. While the first is dealt with in the article by revealing some cases of policy-guided research agendas, the second is explored on the example of West Africa. To give address to these problems, the paper distinguished different levels of analysis: apprehending of social context, strata analysis, and careful generalizing. Central Sahel takes a special attention – the region has suffered great social transformations and the question is what place has trafficking had in these processes. In West Africa, the trafficking of cocaine and hashish is incongruent with existing simplistic stereotypes. It has relied on preexisting smuggling networks and deeply engaged with local social structures, maintaining business as usual. Reification of politicized concepts (‘narco-terrorism’, ‘narco-states’, etc.) has been utilised to advance political agenda.

About the authors

Ilia V. Ponomarev

Institute for African Studies, Russian Academy of Sciences

Moscow, 30/1 Spiridonovka, Moscow, 123001, Russia

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