Commentary: War on drugs is over. What next?

08-15-2009 • CNN / Rudy Ruiz

"Cooperation with Mexico" involves changing culturally entrenched social hierarchies and dynamics that date to pre-Columbian times. Unfortunately, it's easier and less disruptive to the existing power structure perpetuated by Mexico's ruling elite to wage a war against the cartels than it is to revolutionize a society that denies the vast majority of its members legitimate opportunities for socioeconomic advancement.

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