Teoría del estado y narco-estado

Abstract

The content of the article is based on a critical analysis of the text published by The Economist magazine, in which Ecuador is described as a narco-state. This assertion is considered hasty, due to the absence of prior and exhaustive research that would allow for a clear verification of whether the country meets the necessary conditions, characteristics or parameters to be classified as such. The article begins with a definition of the state and a theoretical review of it, considering various doctrines that describe its structure, essential elements and the relationship it might have with ‘emerging concepts’ such as narco-politics, narco-government, the narco-state and necropolitics. On the basis of this theoretical foundation, it analyses the technical grounds used by The Economist to justify its assertion, in order to determine whether it lacks veracity. It also briefly examines the consequences of having described Ecuador as a narco-state. The study constitutes, at the same time, an approach to the characteristics of a narco-state and an evaluation of the level of impact that this phenomenon could have on Ecuadorian society.