1. Why stop farmers from farming
Why stop farmers from farming? Motivations for national opium suppression interventions James Windle

2. Oxford

3. ‘Successful’ opium suppression: Cases
All cases reduced illicit opium production, or diversion from licit sources, by over 90 percent bringing potential national production below 20 metric tonnes.
China ( );
People’s Democratic Republic of China (1950s/60s);
Iran ( ) / Islamic Republic of Iran (1979-??);
Turkey (1970s);
Thailand (1970s-1990s);
Pakistan (1970s-1990s);
Socialist Republic of Viet Nam (1990s);
Lao People’s Democratic Republic (1990s-2000s).

4. ‘Successful’ opium suppression
Five factors presented in all (or most) cases = necessary for successful intervention:
All governments perceived suppression as being in their best interest;
All states possessed a strong presence throughout opium producing areas;
All but two states presented an incentive with which opium farmers could perceive some benefit;
All states possessed capabilities to monitor opium farmers;
All interventions administered law enforcement.

5. Motivation China PRC Iran Turkey Thailand Pakistan Laos Vietnam
State extension
Ideology /religion
Security / counter-insurgency
Rural development
Export commodities
Environmental protection
Domestic opium consumption
External pressure
Motivation

6. Overarching motivations
Economic self-interest
Securitization

7. Overarching motivations
Economic self-interest
Securitization

8. Thanks for listening J.Windle@uel.ac.uk