Strain in Sub-Saharan Africa: An Examination of Human Trafficking using Fuzzy-Set QCA

• In Event: Posters I

Abstract

The nature of human trafficking could be considered the largest systematic abuse of human rights in our world today. In order to better understand and react to the issue, determinants of human trafficking need to be examined. Previous literature has examined issues relating to migration, economics, discrimination, and government response, though generally separately. This study hypothesizes that factors relating to economic and gender based inequalities as well as corruption and globalization act together in combination as “push” factors for human trafficking. Macro-level data from sub-Saharan countries is used to test this hypothesis. The hypothesis is tested using a critical globalization perspective and institutional anomie and socialist feminist theory through the method of fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis. The results highlight the importance of different combinations of conditions in producing strong and effective anti-trafficking results, and conversely, weak and ineffective anti-trafficking results. This study highlights the value of looking at how the significance of combinations of conditions may vary by geographic locale, and suggests future research incorporate comparative historical research to better understand this process.

Author

• Sarah Hupp Williamson, North Carolina State University