Project description
A closer look at when drug lords held power
Bolivia was one of the key hubs for global drug trafficking in the 1970s and early 1980s. Its vast plantations of coca resulted in the expansion of the Santa Ana cartel. The country also formed ties between warlords and military regimes bound to Cold War alliances. In this context, the ERC-funded NARCOPOLITICS project explores the convergence of drugs and power through a case study of Bolivia (1971-1982). Through access to archival records and court papers, the project will explore how traffickers shaped political development, formed ideology, and reacted to geopolitical shifts. A deeper understanding of what happened in Bolivia can yield valuable insights into the condition of contemporary global drug policy and regulation.
Objective
NARCOPOLITICS aims to enhance our understanding of the global dynamics linking drug trafficking and political power through the case study of Bolivia between 1971 and 1982. During this period, Bolivia became a pivotal player in drug trafficking due to its extensive coca plantations, the Santa Ana cartel led by Roberto Suarez Gómez, and persistent ties between drug smugglers and political institutions ruled by the military, aligned with the National Security Doctrine.
Adopting a long-term historical perspective and considering organized crime as a significant Cold War non-state actor, NARCOPOLITICS has three objectives: examining the role of drug traffickers in Bolivia's political developments and their adaptability to changes in the national and regional context; identifying the political conditions under which the Santa Ana cartel intersected with political and ideological spheres and assessing the consequences; and analyzing and comparing measures—both official and unofficial including operations of security agencies—taken by the three US administrations during this period, examining the long-term impact of the “war on drugs.”
The research methodology combines recently opened archival documents and judiciary sources from different countries, providing a comprehensive narrative and analysis. This approach aims to address issues such as difficulty in identifying involved actors and ensuring data reliability.
The rise of state-narco networks in countries like Mexico, Guinea-Bissau and Afghanistan highlights the urgent need for comprehensive research and policy responses. Understanding the historical context and evolution of drug-influenced states, as exemplified by Bolivia's experience, can provide critical insights into addressing these modern challenges.
The Fellowship will benefit my career prospects, equipping me with new skills, knowledge, and specialized training, placing me at the forefront of my field as an established interdisciplinary researcher.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
You need to log in or register to use this function
Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
-
HORIZON.1.2 - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
MAIN PROGRAMME
See all projects funded under this programme
Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-GF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - Global Fellowships
See all projects funded under this funding scheme
Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) HORIZON-MSCA-2024-PF-01
See all projects funded under this callCoordinator
Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
30123 Venezia
Italy
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.