Tourism, Security and Safety From Theory to Practice

Concept Definitions
Globalization
Transborder economic activity embracing the exchange of goods
and services between countries as well as the flow of labor (international migra-
tion) and capital (foreign investment).
Narcoeconomy
The production, distribution, and sale of illegal narcotics. In the
Caribbean, it principally refers to all the economic transactions that facilitate the
trafficking of cocaine and heroin through the islands from South to North
America.
Offshore finance
Multinational banks, insurance, and business corporations
dealing almost exclusively with metropolitan markets and clientele but located in
islands for bookkeeping purposes attracted by their bank secrecy laws and low
taxes.
Violent crime
Includes crimes against persons: murder, rape, and aggravated
assault (serious wounding).
Property crime
Includes crimes against property: burglary, larceny, and rob-
bery, which may also involve serious physical harm to the victim.
Review Questions
1. Why has the Caribbean become a major drug-trafficking route?
2. How large is the Caribbean narcoeconomy in dollar terms? Give a basis for com-
parison.
3. How is crime affected by development? What is the opportunity cost theory of
crime?
4. What are the various evils associated with drug trafficking?
5. What assets do the islands have that facilitate money laundering? How big a prob-
lem is this?
6. In what ways will trafficking affect tourism in the long run?
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