Cross-border Violence of Mexican Drug-Trafficking Organizations.

摘要

Mexican drug-trafficking organizations operate with impunity throughout the United States. Many scholars believe the spread of these organizations into the United States will inevitably lead to higher levels of violence. The lack of a singular, accepted definition of cross-border violence makes it difficult or impossible to create law, policies, or directives to combat it. The lack of studies on the causal conditions associated with cross-border violence reduces the effectiveness of policies and procedures in the sense that the government rarely uses high-leverage strategies, ones that would effectively address the root causes of Mexican drug-trafficking organizations. The purpose of this classical grounded theory study was to define the phenomenon of cross-border violence. In addition, the causal conditions of cross-border violence were identified and theory was generated. A complex systems perspective was the conceptual framework used to guide this study. Twenty-one chief law enforcement officers with jurisdictions along the Southwest border of the United States comprised the sample. Procedures associated with classical grounded theory include the "all-is-data" approach, constant comparative method, and theoretical sensitivity. Key results included an agreement about (a) the different crimes most commonly associated with cross-border violence, (b) a concise definition of cross-border violence, and (c) the cause of cross-border violence. The definition should be immediately implemented in order to reduce confusion, educate the public, assist policymakers in effective decision-making, and create law or regulation. The complex systems should be used to identify better ways to combat drug-organizations and the subsequent cross-border violence. Finally, the study should be used as the basis for future studies into the phenomenon of cross-border violence.