Kalashnikov Culture: Small Arms Proliferation and Irregular Warfare (Praeger Security International)

This work is a bridge between the failed/weak states' literature and that which examines issues relating to small arms proliferation. Carr investigates the cultural impact of the availability of these easy-to-come-by weapons. This cultural dynamic has a direct, and deadly impact on issues such as arms control, illegal and illicit trading, gun cultures, the nexus between criminality and militia warfare and the social impact of arms proliferation, and the struggle for weak states who attempt to govern. The case studies will appeal to those with regional or comparative interests. Although the tone is academic, the topics and the subject matter will make this book of interest to those outside of the academic community. The work takes the form of alternating chapters in which elements of Kalashnikov enculturation, for example the peculiar forms of aberrant economic activity that exist within Kalashnikov cultures, are paired with chapter-length mini-case studies, such as that dealing with armed gang movements in Jamaica, Papua New Guinea, and Brazil. The whole work is bounded by the contention that under certain conditions heavily weaponized societies create their own milieu, which in turn gives rise to communities that find ways to survive (and sometimes thrive) within an ambiance of chronic insecurity. In The Late 1980s, Officials In Pakistan Began To Refer To A Condition They Called 'kalashnikov Culture.' The Reference Was To An Amalgam Of Problems That Were Contributing To Chronic Insecurity Within Pakistan Centering On The Proliferation Of Small Arms. Yet, The Condition Itself Prevailed Elsewhere And In Earlier Times. Kalashnikov Cultures Have Proliferated Without Regard For Geography Or Even For Levels Of Development. This Cultural Dynamic Has A Direct And Deadly Impact On Issues Such As Arms Control, Illegal And Illicit Trading, Gun Cultures, The Nexus Between Criminality And Militia Warfare And The Social Impact Of Arms Proliferation, And The Struggle For Weak States That Attempt To Govern. Carr Investigates The Cultural Impact Of The Availability Of These Easy-to-come-by Weapons. The Work Takes The Form Of Alternating Chapters In Which Elements Of Kalashnikov Enculturation, For Example The Peculiar Forms Of Aberrant Economic Activity That Exist Within Kalashnikov Cultures, Are Paired With Chapter-length, Mini-case Studies, Such As That Dealing With Armed Gang Movements In Jamaica, Papua New Guinea, And Brazil. The Whole Work Is Bounded By The Contention That, Under Certain Conditions, Heavily Weaponized Societies Create Their Own Milieu, Which In Turn Gives Rise To Communities That Find Ways To Survive (and Sometimes Thrive) Within An Ambiance Of Chronic Insecurity.--book Jacket. Kalashnikov Enculturation -- Kalashnikov In The Culture : The Role Of The Gun -- Kalashnikov Traffic : Trading Arms -- Kalashnikov Commerce : The Ak As Economic Instrument -- Pakistan : The Prototypical Kalashnikov Culture -- Pastoral Warriors : Cattle Raiders Of East Africa -- Gangsta Warriors -- A Tradition Of Arms : Yemen -- Kalashnikov Islands : Favelas, Yards, And Raskols -- Kalashnikov Counterculture : Control And Disarmament -- Kalashnikov Future. Christopher Carr. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [169]-175) And Index.