The Drug War Dope

Investigating the nexus of liberal capitalism and the drug war as a strategy of counter-insurgency

Overview

The "Drug War Dope" section examines how the so-called "war on drugs" functions not as a genuine attempt to stop narcotics trafficking, but as a sophisticated tool of social control and counter-insurgency (COIN). This framework reveals how liberalism and capitalism operate through mechanisms of containment and repression while sustaining elite wealth and inequality.

Mexico Section

This section investigates the nexus of liberal capitalism and the drug war in Mexico.

More precisely, the drug war is used as a frame of reference for how liberalism and capitalism operate in Mexico, where it acts as a strategy of counter-insurgency (COIN) that contains resistance while sustaining elite wealth and inequality. This strategy evolves and changes as the nature of liberalism itself transforms.

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Global Section

Here we report on the U.S.-led global war on drugs.

From its origins in the 19th century up to the modern day post-9/11 regime, this section provides a macro perspective on US interdiction efforts along contemporary, historical, and theoretical lines.

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Key Concepts

  • Counter-Insurgency (COIN): The drug war functions as permanent counter-insurgency, targeting social movements and resistance
  • Liberal Capitalism: How market ideology intersects with repression and social control
  • Historical Continuity: Tracing the drug war from 19th century imperialism to 21st century surveillance states
  • Global Framework: Understanding local phenomena (like Mexico) within global systems of power

Related Content

This research connects to broader themes explored on Cheebaism: