The Intersection of Human Trafficking and Neoliberalism in IR Theory

This essay examines the complex relationship between human trafficking and neoliberalism within the context of international relations. It introduces human trafficking as an exploitative practice driven by economic factors, while defining neoliberalism as an ideology shaping modern countries. The essay delves into the factors facilitating human trafficking, including inequalities, restrictive immigration policies, poverty, and violence. It explores the various schools of thought in international relations that address neoliberalism, highlighting its impact on the global economy. A literature review discusses previous research on human trafficking, emphasizing the Palermo Protocol as an international effort to combat this crime. The essay also analyzes human trafficking through the lens of different international relations theories, such as realism, liberalism, and neorealism, and their implications for addressing the issue. Furthermore, it discusses neoliberalism's core tenets, including fiscal austerity, free trade, and privatization, and its connection to realism in the modern world, touching upon the financial crisis of 2009. The essay posits that a comprehensive understanding of economics is crucial for comprehending politics and the interconnectedness of these global issues.

RUNNING HEADER: International relations
RUNNING HEADER: International relations
5
Human trafficking and Neoliberalism
Name
Institution
Professor
Course
Date
1

RUNNING HEADER: International relations
Human trafficking and Neoliberalism
Introduction
Evidently, in the current era, there have been cases of human trafficking and concepts of
neoliberalism. During the past decade, these issues have become so rampant and widespread in
some political grounds and international relations. Human trafficking can be referred to as the
process where humans are exposed to an exploitative condition mainly for economic growth
(Alvarez & Alessi 2012).
Some of the reasons that lead to trafficking include: labor force and labor exploitation in
companies, farms and secret households, sexual abuse and exploitation also have led to big
contribution in human trafficking and to an extent effecting to forced marriages (Bales &
Soodalter 2010). Trafficking has become one of the major crimes leading to threat on human
right, In order to curb this, some international relation organizations have come together so as to
counter or fight of this crime. Human trafficking is rated as the fast upcoming activities of the
transnational organization of criminals.
This is a crime that has mostly affected less developed countries where the low rank and
respect for most women and children assists oppression.
There is the number of reasons which have facilitated the trafficking of human .Some of the
factors include: inequalities within and between different countries where some of people are
2

RUNNING HEADER: International relations
deemed to be of less value than others. This has mostly affected people from humble
backgrounds (Bur chill et al. 2013). Another issue which may have led to the growth of this
crime involves restriction policies of immigration. In some countries those policies have been
violated making it easy to carry out trafficking business. Some of the factors which have also
boosted this crime are poverty, violence, and discrimination.
Recently, researchers have shown interests during the study of different states, such as
international organization and transnational actors and their impact on the world politics. This
organization have used the solutions from the research to try and curb human trafficking.
Various authors have argued that neoliberalism is the distinct dominating ideology that is
shaping countries in the modern world as people live in the age of neoliberalism. These issues
have posed a real threat to economic dominance. These are real issues affecting the ideal world
raising questions such as, is there a tangible solution that can be addressed to reduce
neoliberalism economic dominance and dangers of human trafficking? The current political
economy environment seems to have policies that address the issues in an efficient manner
(Baylis et al., 2017)
Historically, immigrants and indigenous states have been the target for human trafficking
and issues regarding the concept of neoliberalism. Neoliberal thought shows that it was at one
level in time an influential political ideology. In more recent times neoliberalism has dominated
normative political thought (Baylis et al., 2017) the reality, however, is that human trafficking
and neoliberalism has had many effects on the global economy. Instead of suppressing the
indigenous society scarce resources, the US and European countries should evenly distribute the
economic dominance for the overall improvement of the global economy.
3

RUNNING HEADER: International relations
Several schools of thoughts regarding international relations address and break further
neoliberalism. Therefore we can also ask ourselves whether liberalism is the ultimate solution to
global economic peace. In general, neoliberalism has been defined as the outlook of a
community or collection of ideas that usually limit the extension of norms and values regarding
the conduct of one life domain to the whole life concept (Boas & Gans-Morse, 2009). It is a just
mere claim that neoliberalism will achieve the maximum flourishing of the whole life by proper
coordination and control as dictated by the norms of one concept The assumption that guide all
neoliberal ideas is that human flourishing in life needs the interests of one specific ideas in order
to rule.
Varieties of neoliberalism
Neoliberalism refers to a policy model of social justice and economics that is involved in
changing the control of economic factors from the public to the private sector. It takes its basic
principles from neoclassical economics depicting that state government must limit subsidies and
also make significant reforms to tax laws so as to expand the tax base, decrease massive
spending patterns and reduce protectionism. It also requires prevention of fixed exchange rates,
back deregulation and privatizes business markets that are run by the country in a bid to improve
international relations. It is basically an ideology and policy model that emphasizes mostly on
the value of free market competition strategies (Bond et al., 2014). Even though there exists a
considerable argument regarding the distinguishing structures' thought and practice of neoliberal,
it has a close association with laissez-faire economics. In particular, its features involves more
emphasis on the growth of economic as the mode to human progress achieving. It has confidence
in free markets in order to ensure proper and efficient allocation of the scarce resources. It is also
4

RUNNING HEADER: International relations
characterized with high emphasis on low nation intervention involving social-economic issues
and its trust in the trade and capital freedom.
Literature review
Various research has been made concerning the art of human trafficking in different parts
of the world. This type of illegal trade is said to have started in those early days where people
engaged slave trade (Di Nicola 2013). A majority of previous studies addresses the nature of
trafficking in adult females to being aimed at sexual exploitation. In the beginning, many did not
take this as a big issue resulting to its rise in a global setting.
During the year 2002, a research on international trafficking of women was done in the
Latin America, Europe and the United States. Few countries in Asia like Japan were also
affected by the trafficking, human trafficking on the global-wide scale has been faced by the
introduction of Palermo protocol in preventing, suppressing and placing punishment to those
promoting such forms of tragedy. The Palermo protocol acts as a supplement to the meeting
against transnational organized crimes.
The introduction of the protocol by several countries shows the need of the states in
acting and trying to curb the problem of trafficking of people. In this protocol, the involved states
make the declaration that aids in bring down this action. The aim of the protocol is to derive a
framework that assists in making the definition on what trafficking is, to reduce trafficking and
to assist states unity and collaboration in fighting the problem of human trafficking (Davidson
2010).
Generally, the Palermo protocol is an agreement/treaty between different states. There are more
international treaties that cover every aspect of international relation and facet of state authority.
5

RUNNING HEADER: International relations
The importance of these treaties historically has been shown by many authors to empower the
international domain that bides these treaties authors have completely made various invention on
these sectors. Typically, everyone should participate to bring a permanent solution to this
problem of human trafficking.
Case of study
Human trafficking can be analyzed using different theories and how each and every
theory has affected the problem of trafficking. The international relation has many theories that
give a comprehension of the states' behavior. Debates of traditional are said to be rationalist
approaches in one way and constructivist on the other side. The Rationalist theory is one of these
theories. It focusses on a singular physical word and social realities. The constructivist approach
gives focus on how international relationship aspects are socially constructed (Lee 2013).
In international relation, constructivism is said to be a school of thought theory which
gives claims on the aspects of IR by trying to explain that these relations were historically and
socially derived/constructed. Realism is another international relation theory that has been
dominant in influencing the relationship between different states (Lee 2013). This theory gives
claims on relying upon traditional thoughts. In this theory, there exist modern–day realistic
strands of thinking which include; states, survival, and self-help. Generally, realists believe that
states should be the main actors and the international system is governed by anarchy hence no
existence of central authority. Additionally, the realist believes that no state can be entrusted to
aid states' survival. Relating this theory to the issue of human trafficking in a way has positively
affected human trafficking globally (Shelley 2010). For example, to be able to curb the
trafficking, countries should come together and form a central organization that will develop the
rules that define the interrelation between countries. Each country should be given the
6

RUNNING HEADER: International relations
presentation in the central organization. From the theory of realism, understanding countries are
ruled by their own rules hence some diminish the respect for human rights by allowing few to
engage and make money through this business of human trafficking (Shelley 2010).
Human trafficking can also be described using the theory of liberalism. This theory holds
and implements state preferences rather than state capabilities hence believing that international
institution plays a major role in building cooperation among states. Liberals also raise arguments
that international diplomacy is the best way to bring and promote interaction with each other and
also support non-violent problem solution. This theory tries to bring the solution through dialog
whereby the affected people and states come to the agreement without engaging themselves in
war. From the understanding, war and conflicts have highly promoted human trafficking
activities in the past as well as in current societies. This type of IR greatly prevents and controls
the occurrences of this problem of trafficking as different states and people solve the issues
affecting them in a friendly and peaceful manner. With proper institution and diplomacy as
described by this theory, different countries can sit together and come up with a solution of
controlling this problem (Hoyle, Bosworth & Dempsey, 2011). The states can also formulate
rules that will affect all their boundaries by restricting illegal immigration of people across the
borders.
Neorealism/structural realism is an IR theory that defines and describes that power is the
major factor in international relations. The theory has greatly influenced the relation of different
countries for almost the three past decades. The theory stands on the nature that international
structure should be described by its principle of ordering. In this kind of IR theory, the human
trafficking problem can be regulated if every country agrees and abides by the theory
description. Generally, the theory describes all the states as equal hence no state should take
7

RUNNING HEADER: International relations
advantage of the other. However, the theory is affected by some security issues where some
states lose trust in others and this may favor conditions that promote the human trafficking.
Neoliberalism
In reality, neoliberalism has high support on fiscal austerity, free trade areas, and
privatization sector and also controls government spending. It's a concept that is widely
associated with laissez-faire economics as a doctrine policy that dictates low government
interference in the economic issues of political, individuals and the overall society. It has a belief
that continued economic growth will lead to human progress, improvement of free markets,
emphasis on minimal state interference and improvement of international relations (Burley,
2017).
Neoliberalism as it relates to the realism modern world
Realism as dominant theory of international relations claims to rely upon an ancient
tradition of thoughts seen by realist as evidence of deficiencies. The popularity and support of
this topic are often divided. This approach has been continuously connected to several economic
policies introduced in the US and UK by Margaret Thatcher and Ronald Reagan respectively
(Brown & Ainley, 2009). Some argue based on the resurgence of neoliberal economic theories
in formal years attributing to financialization. This show that the financial crisis that occurred in
2009 was due to such an approach to the political economy.
If an individual understands economics well, they will understand politics as well. There have
been an undeniable symbiotic relationship between economics and politics. It is very imperative
that legislative, political and economic leaders research and understand the effects of
international relation theories designing and administering policies based on neoliberalism
8

RUNNING HEADER: International relations
concept. The modern state system resulted from Westphalia of 1648 in European countries
(Burchill et al., 2013). This system constructed nationalism in the process leading to the modern,
nation-centric domain of realist based theory. All individuals supporting the realist construct
views the human as an individual interested. The realist theory views neoliberalism political
economy as a wrangle among the various states that are merely interested in economy power
each competing nation struggling to pursue its own state interests. Economic power is viewed as
a mode of power achievement and increased dominance over other countries.
Realism theoretical approach and economy are best defined under several structural
ways including neo and ethnic colonialism. Colonialism and mercantilism. Each of the various
constructs usually exhibits features of free international trade and target market groups (Couldry,
2010. The European powers have unfettered ability to highly exploit these scarce resources in the
colonial grounds in order to build wealth and power.
Mercantilism: This is nation driven and enablers the growth and development of industrial
markets by subsidizing them and preventing them from foreign competition and rivalry.
Mercantilist thus focuses mainly on the zero rivalries and are more concerned with the gains or
benefits got from the trade exchange. In this case, the concept of neoliberalism as free trade is
influenced. For individuals who are basically mercantilist, utilization of free trade is highly
acceptable in order to succeed in economic power (Duggan, 2012).
Post colonialism involves the attainment of power by multi-state corporations and
intergovernmental profit agencies. Post-colonialist rivals perceive the organizations to utilize
their international markets positions to force nations to implement domestic policies that do not
favor indigenous people. This, therefore, does not serve to the best interests of neoliberalism
economic approach.
9

RUNNING HEADER: International relations
Several writers such as Chua in her book "A world on Fire" point to the increment of a market-
dominant minority groups making the indigenous people who are the majority to suffer. Markets
massively concentrate spectacular wealth on the side of the minority who dominate the market
(Giroux, 2015). This phenomenon assumes a realist view by excluding indigenous individuals
for example apartheid forms in South Africa. These implicit segregation actions enable market
domination lowering the strength of economic neoliberalism.
The theory of liberalism is quite a distinct kind differing from realism in such a sense
that it leads to the lowering of state value regarding the political and economic interrelations.
These high depend on various structural features within the rapidly rising global domain
framework. Liberalism involves typical enlighten of people to give them more knowledge and
focuses on human achievement and progress so as to improve the ideal world. It also contributes
significantly to the growth of economic integration and globalization. Liberalist individuals are
strong believers in trading, commerce, and the neoliberal economy as the main channels that lead
to the more prosperous environment. This optimal underlying framework of liberal theory is
intertwined with a democratic political culture and structure. Some democratic principles, for
example, the right to own property promotes free trade and capital markets, especially in the
United States. Therefore, it is the theory which identifies the expected results of both
globalization and neoliberal economic principles.
Research design
It can be described that most of those who are involved in this trade of trafficking want
to explore their economic status forgetting that the trade also has a repercussion to their future. In
my argument in order to completely end such animosity rules should be designed and
10

RUNNING HEADER: International relations
implemented across all the borders. Those international rules may also provide sanction to those
countries which goes against the international relations organizations.
In order to understand how human trafficking has affected the international relation, several
schools of thought that relate to international relation regarding human trafficking are derived.
The research also gives both positive and negative effects generated by these international
relation theories and also tries to bring measures that needed to be implemented for achievement
of peaceful relation where every human right is respected.
To try to understand how trafficking affects mostly women and children, feminism
theory is used to describe the reasons where women are mostly affected and also implement.
Also, labor has been a major reason why many involve themselves in human trafficking. I will
prove how beneficial it is, in relying on skilled and fairly labor provision rather than trafficking
human for labor. Several international relation theories/school of thought theories are discussed
by relating them with the human trafficking trade in trying to alert on the need of good and
healthy relationship between different states. The theories are also trying to bring understanding
to all the states on the purpose of treating each other as equal in political, social and economic
understanding.
Regarding Neoliberalism
Many products, for example, this MacBook that I am using should come together due to
an array of worldwide suppliers who take them to people with a vision of prosperity and
neoliberalism ideas. Globalization supporter Friedman Thomas's book, "The World is flat. A
summary History in the 21st century" depicts that two states who are members of the supply
chain should not fight against each other (Dunne et al. 2013). Supporters think that this
11

RUNNING HEADER: International relations
interdependence has increased growth rates of approximately 8-10 percent for example in
Australia and China over the past 20 years.
Precisely, as of 2011, the 9 largest global corporations generated an estimated revenue of $2.7
trillion hires approximately 7.0 million employees. Wal Mart employed approximately 2.o
million workers. Marxists theorist that MNCs behave as neo-colonial seeking to exploits
countries in the south of the globe by utilizing resources and unskilled labor. I would use these
benefits and policies to create awareness and show the benefits of working together in order to
realize the neoliberalism dream.
Marxists critique dictates that capitalism would fail for economic reasons as it sows the
seed of its own destruction. There exist three rules that form the Marxist economic laws. First,
the law of disproportionality states that in hot pursuit of capital benefits, economies overproduce
thus Marx tends to argue that it leads to unequal production and economic fluctuations (Hill &
Kumar, 2012). Marxist supporters can use the current global economic crisis to support this
view. Secondly, there has concentration among the wealthy capital class. Some companies tend
to call for lay off millions of workers in order to preserve capital and profits. Thirdly as capital
accumulates the rate of return lowers affecting the neoliberal economy.
According to the Chicago school, it's strongly associated with economists such as George
Stigler and Ronal Coase. In the 21st century, economists Friedrich Hayek influenced this school
(Mirowski 2013). The school basically emphasizes non-intervention from state government
office prevents regulation in markets as ineffective. Even though Chicago school association
with neoliberalism is in some instances resisted by its proponents, its continued emphasis on
decreased government intervention in the economy and laissez-faire ideology has contributed to
an affiliation between the school and neoliberal economics.
12