The nexus between crime and politics in caribbean

The nexus of crime and politics in the Caribbean has been the subject of many studies. Discuss the theoretical frameworks that explain this phenomenon and recommend how best the problem can be addressed in the interest of the region’s development. 620050149 University of the West Indies, Mona 05 April 2012 The nexus of crime and politics in the Caribbean has been the subject of many studies. The purpose of this paper is to discuss the theoretical frameworks that explain this phenomenon and recommend how best the problem can be addressed in the interest of the region’s development. Introduction / Statement of Problem The propagation of crime in the Caribbean has continued to be an increasing concern as its intensification seems to be constant, like a cancerous growth, continually increasing past levels previously seen. Security practitioners in the Caribbean have found themselves significantly challenged with the formidable task of controlling the escalating levels of crime in the region. The Commonwealth Caribbean (referring to the English-speaking countries of the Caribbean region) has the highest homicide rate in the world. This starkly contrasts with many other geographic regions of the world and with the Spanish and French speaking Caribbean countries of our region, having surpassed three times the global mean prior to 2002 (see Figure 1). Figure 1. Homicide rates: The Caribbean in global Context Murders per 100, 000 population Pages 3- 24 Conclusion In Jamaica, the crime-political nexus is anchored in a larger subculture and tradition of subverting legal authority. This is by and large the case in many countries of the region and although Jamaica was highlighted in this paper, measures put forward may be applied and worthwhile in the regional effort. Changing these cultures will by no means be an easy task; however, the measures recommended are intended to sketch the approach or direction that shows promise towards a better future for the entire region. The political leadership in the countries of the Caribbean must recommit to a set of values and a code of conduct consistent with the vision of a safe, peaceful and prosperous Caribbean. References ATF. (2005). Retrieved March 29, 2012, from http://www. atf. gov/press/releases/2009/03/033109-atf-carribean-etrace-agreement. html BBC. (2005, Dec 13). Retrieved Mar 29, 2012, from http://news. bbc. co. uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/december/13/newsid_2559000/2559341. stm Harriott, A. (2009). ” Dis a fi wi Thing”: Politics and The Rise of Organised Crime in Jamaica. UNDP. INTERPOL. (2007). Latin American and Craibbean Studies Viewpoint Series. Washington D. C: World Bank. Lashin, D. D. (2005). Crime in the Caribbean. Vonfredrick Publishers. Nationmaster Crime Statistics. (2009, July 04). Retrieved November 28, 2011, from Nationmaster. com: http://www. nationmaster. com/graph/cri_mur_percap-crime-murders-per-capita. Nicholson, M. R. (2010, May 23). The Gangrenous Alliance Between Politics and Crime. Retrieved March 30, 2012, from The Jamaica Observer: http://www. jamaicaobserver. com/news/The-gangrenous-alliance-between-politics-and-crime_7639709 Sives, A. (2003). Homogeneous voting, electoral manipulation and the garrison process in post independence Jamaica. Commonwealth and Comparative Politics , 40. The Jamaica Observer. (2004, March 21). Retrieved Mar 29, 2012, from The Jamaica Observer: http://www. jamaicaobserver. com/news/57420_Out-of-the-bowels-of-desperate-poverty–a-true-Jamaican-political-success UNICEF. (2005). Situation analysis of Jamaican children. Retrieved November 2011, 24, from UNICEF. org: http://www. unicef. org/jamaica/situation analysis. pdf United Nations Office on Drug and Crime. (2007, December 26). Retrieved November 28, 2011, from Crime, violence and development trends, costs and policy in the Caribbean: http://www. unodc. org/documents/data-and-analysis/Caribbean-study-en. pdf. UNODC. (2011). Global Study on Homicide. Retrieved November 25, 2011, from UNODC. com: http://www. unodc. org/documents/data-and- analysis/statistics/Homicide/Globa_study_on_homicide_2011_web. pdf Ustanny, A. (2004, January 11). Battered boys. The Jamaica Gleaner (http://www. jamaicagleaner. com/gleaner/20040111/lead/lead1. html) World Bank, U. N. (2007). Crime, violence, and development: trends, costs, and policy options in the Caribbean. Washington D. C.