The Global Problem of Slavery - Essay Example

Slavery. The definition of this term is when a person’s life is ed to captivity, forced labor, andother forms of cruelty. An individual here can inappropriately be treated more or less like a property rather than a human being. A person may either be an adult or under-age. Forms of forced labor differ. They range from human trafficking, and prostituting children or women and forced marriage. Early history depicts that slavery has existed since 8000 BC. The problem of slavery using the three levels of analysis. Rourke in Chapter 3 in his book “International Politics,” has discussed these levels well. The first one is individual – level analysis. In this category, he talks of emotional, biological, psychological, cognitive factors, ambitions and ego, personal experiences and political history. Francis Bok for instance is one young boy of seven years old who endured a lot during his early years of growth. Slavery came upon him in Southern Sudan when Arab raiders fully armed with knifes. Rifles came and attacked him at the market where he had been selling his mother’s eggs. These men were so brutal such that they murdered women and men, took hold of all young children for slavery under rich Arabs (Engerman, pg.76). Bok normally stayed in a shed near goats the cattle which were his responsibility to take care of. Besides, the small boy was constantly exposed to unfamiliar religion and language by his captor which he was forced to learn slowly. He was also not allowed to have any contact with the other people except his Arab captors lest he escapes. However the small boy tried to escape two times with no success, he had to undergo death threats and end endless beatings. He finally managed to escape, although he still experienced case of deprivation of freedom on the way in Khartoum, the Sudan capital. Previously, this boy had passed through refugee camps and prisons before being rescued by the United Nations back in 1999. Afterwards, Bok escaped again from Sudan to Egypt then United States where he was forced to use his Christian name of Francis in order to protect himself. (Streissguth, pg. 70) State-level analysis. The problem of slavery here is depicted in the sense of how states have been able to come up and implement foreign policies to curb slave practices (Streissguth, pg.203). At the time of Bok when he was in slavery, it is well depicted that the states he passed through had no implemented any strategies to overcome slavery. Many people are seen to end up in slavery including Bok. This kind of citizen protection by its government however dependents on the type of government itself, the type of the policies and the foreign policy process, the political culture in that state and the situation prevailing at that time in the concerned government. Solutions to slavery. Rourke’s book has analyzed three levels of slavery according to chapter three; he broadly talks about foreign policy making. The following solutions are promoted. First, the people in slavery need to be given freedom. Practically, Francis was assisted by the UN officials by being granted passage to America in 1999 (Engerman, pg.58). Freedom came finally to him when he was able to escape and free himself from his captors. In regards to system-level analysis as solution to slavery, the state should develop a strong culture and norms that promote human safety. This is exemplary shown in this book when Francis was granted passage to America. Were it not for the strong ties between the UN officials and America, then it would be assumed that Bok would still be in slavery. Public awareness and resources is the second way of eradicating slavery among communities. By this doing the public is well enlightened on their basic human rights. Personal space in this case is widely encouraged and promoted. Bok’s experience in his book is a clear indication that one can improve his job skills in order to flee from captivity of other men. Globally, slavery can be done away with by simply sharing with others broadly the information of modern slavery and sharing books, DVDs and other resources concerning the same. Education is also a great tool of creating awareness on this topic. It well enlightens the people on their basic human rights and what to do incase anyone violates them. Campaigns against slavery still can be of great significance. By this doing, everyone knows the truth about slavery and the measures to take so as to free themselves (Streissguth, pg.100). In most countries, human rights activists are on the rise. They act as anti-slavery agents and therefore the topic of slavery is minimal. Hard work and faith in God. All along and during his entire time in slavery, Francis always believed that he would finally find his parents alive. He always made several attempts to escape the Arabs who had enslaved him until he finally made his way out of their hands (Stanley L. pg98). This can be categorized as an individual-level solution to slavery. Bok too had to initiate some steps towards fleeing himself from captivity. This strategy to overcome slavery by Bok is classified as one of his individual level measures. Endurance to both physical and emotional hardships. Francis was abducted in to slavery for ten years. Being forcefully separated from his family since his childhood is something which was hard for him (Thomas, pg. 87) .Throughout the slavery period he was constantly beaten and threatened with death which is a tormenting thing. His freedom of movement was also restricted for he was always being watched so that he does not escape. Setting up laws against slavery. It is the responsibility of the state to protect its citizen against any form of slavery. The citizen should be provided with the necessary documents required to facilitate movement such as passports and visa. In most countries, slavery is illegal and normally treated as a crime. Still it is up to the government to prohibit any form of slavery and take prompt measures taken to anyone found doing such a practice (Engerman, pg. 87). In reference to state-level analysis, the government should be the first agent in a country to form measures to eradicate slavery. It should treat slavery as a crime which I liable to life sentence for violation of human rights. In some countries such as Brazil, victims of such a crime are imprisoned. However, this crime has been hard to prevent due to corruption cases which are in the increase. People have been bribing the authorities so as not to face the law (Engerman, pg. 65­) The correct systems should also be put in place so as to do away with slavery in states. A good example is the use of satellites in states to find out places areas of slavery like Brazil used to do. This technology uses sensors and is able to detect anything going on in a certain place (Engerman, pg.70). The captors can be finally found and measures taken on them. Besides, the state - level and system- level analysis solutions to slavery should ensure strictness in movement of persons among nation. The department of immigration in any coutry should ensure that the citizens have a key reason to either move in or out of a country. The persons should also be checked for the relevant documents which allow them to move. System-level analysis. This entails the structural measures developed by states and which have put in place to end slavery. The authority in this case the states have a huge responsibility in enhancing power relations and promoting the norms among nations and also establishing good economic realities in order to protect the citizens (Engerman, pg. 67). Conclusion. Slavery is real in todays live. It is therefore up to the governments to put forth strict measures so as to protect human life. Individual –level, state-level and system –level solutions to slavery have to be well observed. By this doing there will be good relationships between the state and its citizens. Work cited. Engerman, Stanley L. Slavery. Oxford University Press, 2001. Print. Streissguth, Thomas. Slavery. Greenhaven Press, 2001.print. Read More