Drugs and Democracy in Rio de Janeiro
Trafficking, Social Networks, and Public Security
Enrique Desmond Arias
Publisher: University of North Carolina Press
Imprint: The University of North Carolina Press
Published: 11/2009
Pages: 304
Subject: Political Science, History, Social Science
| University of North Carolina
Print ISBN: 9.78E+12
eBook ISBN: 9780807877371
DESCRIPTION
Much of the violence is the result of highly organized, politically connected drug dealers feeding off of the global cocaine market. Rising crime prompts repressive police tactics, and corruption runs deep in state structures. The rich move to walled communities, and the poor are caught between the criminals and often corrupt officials. Arias argues that public policy change is not enough to stop the vicious cycle of crime and corruption. The challenge, he suggests, is to build new social networks committed to controlling violence locally. Arias also offers comparative insights that apply this analysis to other cities in Brazil and throughout Latin America.