Economic, Institutional, and Social Drivers of the “Country’s Susceptibility to Human Trafficking and Smuggling” A Conceptual Framework

Abstract

The concept of "Countries' Susceptibility to Human Trafficking and Smuggling" refers to the extent to which a country is globally vulnerable at the individual (micro) and governmental (macro) levels. The conceptual framework aims to analyze the dynamic relationships of economic, institutional, and social drivers of these crimes, analyzing the direct and indirect linkages of each driver, as well as the interplay between them through the lens of human trafficking and smuggling. This paper will take up the Southern Mediterranean countries as the subject of analysis divided into three sections: 1) the economic growth pattern driver, with an analysis of the level of equitability over time; 2) the institutional driver, with an analysis of the effectiveness of micro and macro governance behind these crimes; 3) the social driver, including an analysis of social capital and philanthropic environment. The research conclusion and implications of the proposed framework are also discussed.