REGIONAL COMPLEXES: INSTITUTIONAL SECURITY IN THE FIGHT AGAINST DRUG TRAFFICKING ON THE BRAZIL-BOLIVIA BORDER (2003-2016)
Regional Security Complexes; Drug Trafficking; Brazil-Bolivia Border.
How have bilateral policies to combat drug trafficking along the Brazil-Bolivia border incorporated aspects of the Theory of Regional Security Complexes? The emergence of drug trafficking as a non-state threat is one of the most significant social and security challenges in the international system. With this in mind, the overall objective of this research is to analyze the integration of the Theory of Regional Security Complexes into bilateral public policies for combating drug trafficking along the Brazil-Bolivia border. Specifically, the aim is to understand the historical and geographical issues underlying the border relationship between Brazil and Bolivia and to assess the effectiveness of the Theory of Regional Security Complexes in shaping bilateral policies. This study focuses on the border relationship between Bolivia, the world's third-largest producer of cocaine, and Brazil, which serves as a route for drug transit to Europe. Through a narrative review, agreements, meetings, and operations are analyzed for the formulation of public policies for monitoring and repression. Additionally, it employs automated content analysis to scrutinize discourses surrounding the issue. The expected results of this research unfold in two distinct perspectives. Firstly, through the theoretical impact of the Theory of Regional Security Complexes on the formulation of public policies. Secondly, through a normative evaluation of public policies.