The Rise of the Narcostate

This book is our sixth Small Wars JournalEl Centro anthology, covering writings published between 2016 and 2017. The theme of this anthology pertains to the rise of the narcostate (mafia states) as a result of the collusion between criminal organizations and political elitesessentially authoritarian regime members, corrupted plutocrats, and other powerful societal elements. The cover image of the mass demonstration concerning the disappearance of the forty-three Ayotzinapa Teachers College students held at Mexico Citys Zcalo Plaza in November 2014 provides an archetype of this anthologys theme. This anthology includes the following special essaysPreface: New Wars and State Transformation by Robert Muggah, Igarap Institute; Foreword: Crime and State-Making by Vanda Felbab-Brown, The Brookings Institution; Postscript: Crime, Drugs, Terror, and Money: Time for Hybrids by Alain Bauer, CNAM Paris; and Afterword: The Rise of the Oligarchs by Col. Robert Killebrew, US Army (Ret.).

Dave Dilegge (SWJ, Editor-in-Chief)