Introduction
In "The Locust Effect," Gary A. Haugen presents a compelling argument for why addressing violence is crucial to ending poverty in developing countries. The book challenges the conventional wisdom that poverty can be eradicated solely through economic aid, education, and healthcare. Instead, Haugen argues that widespread violence acts like a swarm of locusts, devouring the progress made by aid efforts and trapping the poor in a cycle of fear and vulnerability.
Haugen, the founder of International Justice Mission, draws on his extensive experience working in developing countries to illustrate how dysfunctional criminal justice systems fail to protect the poor from violence. He argues that this lack of protection not only traumatizes individuals but also stunts the economic growth of entire nations.
The Impact of Violence on Developing Countries
Violence as a Destructive Force
Contrary to popular belief, it's not impoverished communities that pose the greatest threat to society, but rather the violence inflicted upon them. Haugen argues that violence is the most destructive force in society, surpassing even natural disasters in its impact.
To illustrate this point, Haugen compares the economic impact of Hurricane Stan in Guatemala in 2005 to the ongoing cost of criminal violence in the country. While Hurricane Stan was widely regarded as a massive disaster, criminal violence costs Guatemala roughly twice as much each year, accounting for a 7.3 percent loss in GDP according to World Bank development reports.
The situation is even more dire in countries like Colombia or El Salvador, where violence is estimated to reduce economic growth by as much as 25 percent annually. These statistics highlight the enormous toll that violence takes on national economies, far outweighing the impact of natural disasters.
The Human Cost of Violence
Beyond its economic impact, violence has a devastating effect on individuals and communities. Haugen introduces the concept of Disability Adjusted Life Years, which measures the number of years of work lost due to violence. Every year, nine million Disability Adjusted Life Years are lost due to women being raped or abused alone.
This loss of productivity has far-reaching consequences, particularly in regions like Africa where women perform 80 percent of farm work. Violence against women can severely cut food production in some of the world's poorest areas, exacerbating poverty and hunger.
The psychological impact of violence is equally severe. Haugen cites a 2009 Human Rights report from Ethiopia showing that victims of violence suffer higher rates of depression, substance abuse, and suicide. This trauma not only affects individuals but also ripples through families and communities, perpetuating cycles of poverty and despair.
The Failure of Law Enforcement in Developing Countries
Lack of Basic Protection for the Poor
One of the most alarming issues Haugen highlights is the widespread failure of law enforcement to protect the poor in many developing countries. He cites UN studies that reveal law enforcement systems in these countries are often so corrupt that poor communities live completely outside the protection of the law.
Haugen shares the story of Maria, a 14-year-old Peruvian girl who was raped three times by the same man, a taxi driver from her town. When the police found out, they not only refused to investigate but also shouted at Maria, accusing her of seducing her rapist. This shocking example illustrates how law enforcement can fail the most vulnerable members of society, leaving them with no recourse against violence and abuse.
Inadequate Legal Protection
The book also delves into the failure of legal systems to provide fair trials and adequate representation for the poor. Haugen tells the story of Dan, a Kenyan teenager who has spent eight months in jail and faces a life sentence without a fair trial. Dan and his friends were arrested for violent robbery after a fight broke out while they were guarding a local water fountain. Their court proceedings fail to meet even the most basic criteria for a fair trial: Dan has no legal representation and doesn't even speak the language used in the courtroom.
These examples demonstrate that poor people don't suffer from violence because they're poor, but because they're unprotected. Haugen draws a parallel to malaria deaths, 90 percent of which occur in poverty-stricken populations. It's not that malaria disproportionately affects poor people, but that poor people don't have access to good medical treatment for it. Similarly, crimes against the poor often go unpunished, allowing perpetrators to continue their abuse with impunity.
Dysfunctional Police and Justice Systems
Untrained and Understaffed Police Forces
Haugen paints a grim picture of law enforcement in many developing countries, comparing it to going to a local butcher for emergency heart surgery. He cites a 2009 Human Rights Watch report that found 85 percent of police officers in India are constables, who receive only a few months of military training and virtually no training in law enforcement.
The problem is compounded by severe understaffing. In Bangladesh, for example, the government only spends $1.50 per capita on law enforcement each year, according to a 2005 study by the Development Bank of Asia. This is in stark contrast to Washington DC, which spends $2.33 per capita on its police force each day.
Shortage of Prosecutors and Inefficient Courts
The book also highlights the shortage of prosecutors in developing countries. While the United States has one prosecutor for every 12,000 citizens, countries like Malawi have only ten prosecutors for a population of 15 million. This severe shortage leads to extremely slow and inefficient criminal justice systems.
Haugen cites a 2008 study by Danilo Reyes, a leading official of the Asian Human Rights Commission, which found that in the Philippines, it can take up to ten years for a court case to be concluded. During this time, the accused must wait in prison, potentially losing a significant chunk of their lives even if they're ultimately found innocent.
The Colonial Legacy in Criminal Justice Systems
Inherited Systems Designed to Protect the Elite
Haugen delves into the historical roots of dysfunctional justice systems in many developing countries, tracing them back to the colonial era. He explains that while European countries have evolved their justice systems over time, their former colonies often still operate under systems designed to protect the colonial elite rather than serve the general population.
The author provides a brief history of policing, noting that the concept of civilian police was created by the British in the mid-eighteenth century. However, in the colonies, the goal of the police was to maintain British rule, not to protect the public. This became even more pronounced after the 1857 rebellion in India when the British implemented the militaristic Irish Constabulary police method in all their colonies.
Outdated Laws and Practices
Unfortunately, many of these colonial-era laws and practices weren't reformed after independence. Haugen points out that India's Police Act, which still regulates the Indian police force today, is 140 years old. This reliance on anachronistic laws explains much of the present-day dysfunction in India and other post-colonial countries.
The colonial legacy means that police forces in many developing countries are still trained to protect the wealthy and suppress the masses, rather than to protect the public from violence and crime. This fundamental misalignment of purpose continues to hinder the development of effective, public-serving law enforcement in these nations.
The Rise of Private Justice Systems
Boom in Private Security
Haugen describes how the failure of public law enforcement has led to a boom in private security services in many developing countries. He cites a 2010 report by journalist Manu Kaushik, which found that Indian private security firms employ over 5.5 million agents - roughly four times the number of people employed in the entire Indian police force.
The situation is even more extreme in some African countries. According to World Bank data, in Kenya, 80 percent of all businesses rely on private security firms for protection. This trend widens the gap between rich and poor, as only those who can afford private security can ensure their safety.
Alternative Dispute Resolution Systems
The book also explores the emergence of private courts, or alternative dispute resolution systems, in countries with broken criminal justice systems. These systems allow wealthier parties to avoid the delays and corruption of state courts by paying for private arbitration.
While these alternative systems may seem like a solution, Haugen argues that they only exacerbate inequality. The more a country relies on its citizens to pay for private security and judiciary systems, the further the poor are excluded from access to justice and protection.
The Lack of Aid for Criminal Justice Systems
Minimal Investment in Law Enforcement
Haugen points out a critical oversight in international development efforts: virtually no developmental aid has been invested in strengthening criminal justice systems in developing countries. He explains that foreign aid institutions are often reluctant to interfere in a country's internal affairs, particularly when it comes to law enforcement.
The author cites the World Bank as an example, noting that it has statutes prohibiting investment in structures aimed at improving local law enforcement. Even when organizations do try to strengthen a country's legal system, they rarely target the criminal justice system, focusing instead on issues like corruption and security.
The Need for Change
Haugen argues that this approach is fundamentally flawed. He uses the analogy of a locust plague: if locusts are destroying a country's crops, simply replanting won't solve the problem - you have to fight the locusts themselves. Similarly, pouring aid money into countries with dysfunctional justice systems is futile if that money will only be devoured by crime and violence.
The author suggests that less than one percent of all financial aid from development institutions is invested in helping criminal justice systems better protect the poor from violence and crime. He argues that this needs to change if we hope to make real progress in combating poverty.
Potential for Change: The World Bank's Shift
Haugen offers a glimmer of hope, noting that World Bank policies on this matter may change in the near future. He cites a February 2012 recommendation by World Bank experts that future investments should take broader economic concerns into consideration, rather than focusing on narrow economic gains.
This shift could potentially open the door for investment in criminal justice systems, as protecting the poor from violence and exploitation would strengthen the economy in turn. Haugen sees this as a potentially significant step towards addressing the root causes of persistent poverty in developing nations.
Success Story: Project Lantern in the Philippines
NGO Involvement in Improving Criminal Justice
To illustrate how NGOs can effectively support and improve criminal justice systems, Haugen describes Project Lantern, an initiative overseen by International Justice Mission in Cebu, Philippines. The project aimed to protect children from sex trafficking by working with local authorities to build structures to protect local children.
Over four years, social workers, lawyers, and police officers collaborated with local authorities to create a specialized police task force for fighting human trafficking. They even convinced the Philippine Supreme Court to make sex trafficking a top priority.
Measurable Success
The results of Project Lantern were impressive. Over 250 victims of sex trafficking were rescued, and approximately 100 suspected traffickers were charged and prosecuted. Most significantly, the number of children involved in the local sex trade decreased by 79 percent, demonstrating a strong deterrent effect on criminals.
Systemic Changes
Beyond these immediate results, Project Lantern brought about systemic changes in how victims of sex trafficking were treated. Before the project, victims were often kept in close proximity to their abusers at police stations, leaving them vulnerable to further abuse or intimidation. The Project Lantern team established safe houses for victims, providing a secure environment where they felt more comfortable speaking with investigators and naming their abusers.
The success of this system was so evident that the Philippine government took over its costs and now manages it, demonstrating how targeted interventions can lead to sustainable, locally-owned improvements in criminal justice systems.
The Way Forward
Haugen concludes by emphasizing that protecting the poor from violence is not just a matter of human rights - it's essential for economic development and poverty reduction. He argues that foreign aid organizations need to prioritize improving national justice and policing institutions to protect the poor.
The author contends that only by addressing the "locust effect" of violence can developing nations truly progress towards self-sufficiency. He calls for a paradigm shift in how we approach international development, urging policymakers, aid organizations, and governments to recognize the critical role of functional criminal justice systems in breaking the cycle of poverty.
Final Thoughts
"The Locust Effect" presents a compelling case for why ending violence is crucial to ending poverty. Haugen's work challenges conventional wisdom about international development and offers a fresh perspective on why some nations struggle to escape poverty despite significant aid.
By highlighting the devastating impact of violence on individuals, communities, and entire economies, Haugen makes a convincing argument for prioritizing the protection of the poor through improved law enforcement and criminal justice systems. His book serves as a wake-up call to the international development community, urging a reconsideration of how aid is allocated and applied in developing countries.
Ultimately, "The Locust Effect" offers hope by demonstrating that targeted interventions can make a real difference. Through stories of both systemic failures and successful initiatives like Project Lantern, Haugen shows that it is possible to create meaningful change. His work challenges readers to think differently about poverty and violence, and to consider how they might contribute to building a world where the poor are protected, justice is served, and sustainable development can truly take root.