Ominous Parallels and Optimistic Differences: Opium in China and Afghanistan

Article


Windle, J. 2011. Ominous Parallels and Optimistic Differences: Opium in China and Afghanistan. Law, Crime and History. 1 (2), pp. 141-164.
Authors Windle, J.
Abstract

This paper compares two of history's largest producers of opium - Afghanistan (2000-11) and China (1917-35) - to suggest that in both cases production was facilitated by: (1) A lack of central control over the national territory; (2) The existence of local power-holders; (3) Internal violent conflict; (4) The existence of a significant domestic opium consuming population.

The initial analysis is extended by introducing a successful opium production suppression intervention, The People's Republic of China (1950s/1960s), to suggest that the control of opium in contemporary Afghanistan requires the Government to: (1) Extend the state into isolated and hostile areas; (2) Facilitate a sense of self-interest in the Afghan Government and political elite towards opium suppression; (3) Facilitate a perception that suppression benefits opium farmers; (4) Strengthen the capacity to monitor opium farmers and enforce the law.

Keywords Opium; China; Afghanistan; Drug law enforcement; Alternative development
Journal Law, Crime and History
Journal citation 1 (2), pp. 141-164
Year 2011
Publisher's version
Web address (URL) http://www.pbs.plymouth.ac.uk/solon/journal.htm
Publication dates
Print 2011
Publication process dates
Deposited 05 Nov 2012
Copyright information Copyright in all contributions accepted for publication will remain with the authors who are free to re-use their own material.
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