Date of Award

12-2024

Degree Name

Master of Arts

Department

Sociology

First Advisor

Barry Goetz, Ph.D.

Second Advisor

Charles Crawford, Ph.D.

Third Advisor

Zoann Snyder, Ph.D.

Keywords

Cartels, drug war, Mexico

Access Setting

Masters Thesis-Open Access

Abstract

This thesis examines the origins, activities, and societal impacts of Mexican drug cartels, while assessing the effectiveness of governmental and international responses to their development and influence. This thesis examines the evolution of the cartels, starting with their collaboration with traffickers in Colombia and concluding with their supremacy in the global drug trade. The investigation elucidates the social and political factors that have facilitated their growth. These factors include pervasive corruption, economic disparities, and inadequate governance, all of which have fostered an environment conducive to the emergence of cartels.

This thesis examines the detrimental effects of cartel involvement on Mexican communities. These impacts include pervasive violence, societal disintegration, public health challenges stemming from substance addiction, and economic exploitation. Furthermore, it critiques the limitations of military anti-narcotics approaches, emphasizing the unintended consequences of these measures, including heightened violence and the emergence of power vacuums within the system. The research elucidates the recruitment methods, operational tactics, and the cartels' integration into Mexican society via the use of sociological and criminological ideas.

The thesis advocates for the implementation of a comprehensive plan to counteract cartel influence. This plan must include socioeconomic transformations, government transparency, and international collaboration. This thesis aims to enhance understanding of cartel dynamics to contribute to the global battle against organized crime and to provide sustainable solutions that foster stability and justice in Mexico.

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