Human Trafficking: An Exploration of Theories

This chapter explores the existing literature to examine various determinants of trafficking in individuals. I apply the theoretical perspectives of feminism and victimization and economic and demand theories in my analysis, explicitly focusing on victim precipitation, constitutive theory, radical feminism, and rational choice. I postulate two models of human trafficking: market systems and sociostructural. These emergent models culminate in classifying human trafficking risk factors into two broad categories: economic and sociostructural factors. Contextualized, these determinants are delineated through analogous references to some of my previous trafficking studies. The risk factors include poverty and economic deprivations, weak border controls, and various cultural practices.