International Contemporary Slavery Research Paper

International Contemporary Slavery - Research Paper Example This study will examine international contemporary slavery and the facts that differentiate it from early forms of slavery. The study will also look at the factors that led to modern day slavery, forms of contemporary slavery, the politics involved, the international law and policies on slavery between countries, and steps taken to eradicate the problem. Contemporary slavery Many people approach slavery as part of collective history subscribing to the â€Å"rise and fall† of the slavery trajectory. When people speak of slavery, they imagine enslaved Africans toiling in sugar plantations and finally ending through the two legislations. They do not associate current times with slavery. The fact is that an estimated 27 million slaves exist today in the world. This number is more than double the number of slaves obtained from Africa and transported across the Atlantic. According to the international labor organization, 12.3 million people across the world are in one form of forced labor or another. United Nations estimates that 600,000 to 800,000 persons are trafficked internationally every year. Close to half of those involved in slavery are primarily young girls and women sold out for sexual exploitation (Bales 9). While most countries have anti-trafficking laws in place, their enforcement is erratic and in some, the laws are non-existent. The US State Department points out that 62 countries have failed to convict traffickers under the Palermo protocol as declared by UN. Currently, the slavery industry is estimated to be a $32 billion industry placing it at the same level with illegal arms trade and drug trafficking (Bales 50). International contemporary slavery is similar to past slavery in that it is characterized by violence and exploitation (Bales 12). However, today slavery is no longer a legal institution neither is it significant for any country’s economy. Slavery is also not a relationship based on ethnicity or race. Like in the past, slaver y exists in many forms; but modern slavery has two main characteristics, which differentiate it from early slavery. Today’s slaves are cheap and hence disposable (Bales 12). Today, slaves are cheaper than any other period in slave history. A field worker bought for $14,000 in 1850 would today cost only $100. This dramatically changes the economic scale of slavery. Drop in prices for any commodity affects the demand and supply economies. Currently, there are more potential slaves in the market meaning they cost little but generate high returns. Slave owners today can make returns from slaves as high as 800 percent (Bales, 12). Slaves’ inexpensiveness is good for the slaveholder and good for bottom line business but disastrous for the slaves. Buying slaves at a low price means they do not represent large investment that would require special care. This means that a slave is easily replaced. No one pays attention to the maintenance and care of the slaves or make a point o f keeping records on their whereabouts. If slaves get injured, ill or outlive their usefulness, they become a burden to the slaveholder and are in turn dumped or worse, killed (Bales 15). International contemporary slavery is facilitated by three main factors; population growth, poverty and corruption (Bales 15). After the Second World War, the world experienced population explosion. After 1945, the world