Human Trafficking and Contemporary Slavery

Posted: 21 Aug 2015

See all articles by Ronald Weitzer

Ronald Weitzer

George Washington University - Department of Sociology

Date Written: August 2015

Abstract

The article begins with a discussion of definitional issues regarding human trafficking and modern slavery and then briefly critiques some popular claims regarding each problem. Examples of macro-level research are critically evaluated, followed by a review of micro-level studies that illustrate tremendous variation and complexity in structural arrangements and individuals' lived experiences. These studies suggest that in this field micro-level research has at least three advantages over grand, macro-level meta-analyses - advantages that are quantitative (i.e., estimating the magnitude of the problem within a measurable universe), qualitative (i.e., documenting complexities in lived experiences), and well suited to formulating contextually appropriate policy and enforcement responses.

Suggested Citation

Weitzer, Ronald, Human Trafficking and Contemporary Slavery (August 2015). Annual Review of Sociology, Vol. 41, pp. 223-242, 2015, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2648104 or http://dx.doi.org/10.1146/annurev-soc-073014-112506

Ronald Weitzer (Contact Author)

George Washington University - Department of Sociology ( email )

United States

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