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New Directions in Research on Human Trafficking

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  • Ronald Weitzer

Abstract

This article evaluates four popular claims regarding human trafficking’s international magnitude, trends, and seriousness relative to other illicit global activities. I find that the claims are neither evidence-based nor verifiable. Second, an argument is made for carefully conducted microlevel research on trafficking. Several such studies are described, including the contributions to this volume of The Annals . I argue for microlevel research, which has advantages over grand, macrolevel claims—advantages that are both quantitative (i.e., identifying the magnitude of trafficking within a measurable context) and qualitative (i.e., documenting complexities in lived experiences)—and is better suited to formulating contextually appropriate policy and enforcement responses.

Suggested Citation

  • Ronald Weitzer, 2014. "New Directions in Research on Human Trafficking," The ANNALS of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, , vol. 653(1), pages 6-24, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:anname:v:653:y:2014:i:1:p:6-24
    DOI: 10.1177/0002716214521562
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Farrell, Amy & Fahy, Stephanie, 2009. "The problem of human trafficking in the U.S.: Public frames and policy responses," Journal of Criminal Justice, Elsevier, vol. 37(6), pages 617-626, November.
    2. Omar Mahmoud, Toman & Trebesch, Christoph, 2010. "The economics of human trafficking and labour migration: Micro-evidence from Eastern Europe," Journal of Comparative Economics, Elsevier, vol. 38(2), pages 173-188, June.
    3. Cho, Seo-Young & Dreher, Axel & Neumayer, Eric, 2013. "Does Legalized Prostitution Increase Human Trafficking?," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 41(C), pages 67-82.
    4. Sheldon X. Zhang, 2009. "Beyond the ‘Natasha’ story -- a review and critique of current research on sex trafficking," Global Crime, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 10(3), pages 178-195, August.
    5. Ronald Weitzer, 2007. "The Social Construction of Sex Trafficking: Ideology and Institutionalization of a Moral Crusade," Politics & Society, , vol. 35(3), pages 447-475, September.
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    Cited by:

    1. Tezcan, Barış & Maass, Kayse Lee, 2023. "Human trafficking interdiction with decision dependent success," Socio-Economic Planning Sciences, Elsevier, vol. 87(PA).
    2. Dina Francesca Haynes, 2014. "The Celebritization of Human Trafficking," The ANNALS of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, , vol. 653(1), pages 25-45, May.
    3. Winkler,Stephen Joseph, 2021. "Human Trafficking: Definitions, Data, and Determinants," Policy Research Working Paper Series 9623, The World Bank.

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