Sociology - Problems of the Caribbean - Essay Example

This, in turn, promotes criminal activities within the governing authorities and society (Griffith, 2004, p. 443). The Caribbean Problems The Caribbean States face a vast range of problems, from corruption, economic crisis, and drug abuse to rampant criminal activities resulted both from political and international imbalance. Geonarcotics concept in the Caribbean region presupposes multiple dynamics developed in the narcotics environment where problems encompass drug trafficking, politics, power and the Caribbean geography.

Geography aspect takes into consideration drug operations with regard to spatial dispersion on the international scene while power aspect highlights the capabilities of the political class to influence such operations. Allocation of resources in the region is controlled by those with political authority who have contributed to the problems in the region in one way or another. The Caribbean drug complexities generally involve many aspects of utmost importance for society such as, production of drugs, its abuse, trafficking, consumption, and money laundering aspects.

Social and physical geographies are among the factors, which have contributed to the Caribbean problems and precipitated drug trafficking in the region. The Caribbean region is characterized by many as a region of strategically placed islands facilitating the entry into Caribbean States from the globally accessible sea. The Caribbean States are, therefore, vulnerable to drug operations considering the limited security and territorial policies that guard them. The other problems in the region include the alarming rate of criminal activities, which is directly linked to the intense drug trafficking operations getting access to the region.

Involvement of citizens in drug operations has led to systemic violence where drug syndicates, smugglers, and gangs have laundered, secured, and guarded money through violence. Money dealt with in drug trafficking amounts to billions, which are transformed into power used both politically and socially to influence operations. Political, social and economic failures are closely linked to drug traffickers who have acquired huge amounts of money and, thus, have significant influence on the movement.

Drug traffickers have amassed wealth and resources that are essentially needed to control states and influence individuals holding authoritative offices. The Caribbean governments have often controlled states using military and police forces that are dependent on facilities and wealth; however, drug traffickers have reportedly acquired more wealth and more sophisticated facilities than the governments themselves. This illegitimate power amounts both domestic and international criminal activities causing problems in the Caribbean.

Nevertheless, many countries in the Caribbean region face complex urban violence that stems from health and social problems having reached alarming proportions and dimensions (Balan, 2002, p.37) Aspects encompassing social and health problems also include corruption linked to drug operations activities that consequently influence security matters. This activity involves the breach of the law through acts of omission and commission that deviate from political, economic, and social norms. Corruption