Drug Cartels and neoliberalism

[AlonsoAcevesMX]

Hey all, I’ve been thinking about how we often focus on enforcement when tackling drug cartels—but what if the real leverage lies in reshaping the social and economic landscape? A few ideas to spark the conversation:

- Neoliberal policies that championed deregulation and open markets weakened state institutions, leaving gaps that cartels exploited.
- When people have good jobs, quality education, and reliable services, the lure of quick cash from illicit markets fades.
- Improving infrastructure, mental-health support, vocational training, and small-business grants can give at-risk individuals real alternatives.

Here’s the question:
What concrete steps—at the community, policy, or grassroots level—have you seen (or would you propose) to divert entrepreneurial drive from cartels toward legitimate enterprises? What examples of effective initiatives have you encountered, and what lessons do their successes or failures offer?

[Impenitent]

where there's a market...

-Imp