Regionalism and Criminal Economy

Ch. 1 Problem Question:

In this paper I research and analyze the way in which Regionalization affects/influences the role of the criminal economy in Latin America. I therefore aim to identify the correlation (if any) between the new form of regionalism (linked with liberalization) within the Latin American region and shifts in the criminal economy within this same region.

The current problem question includes several “vague” terms that have to be brought into perspective before continuing, as this will no doubt cause much room for discussion in interpreting the analysis. The term regionalization here is understood as going beyond the classical integration theories and including social, political and cultural dimensions as well as the conventional economic features. The newly defined phenomenon no longer covers mere geographical territory but convergence between states and regions in general as well . Under this definition the role of the United States (among other count...