If you've lived in the USA, cartels probably form a significant part of your understanding of Mexico. American media, whether in the news or in TV and film, tends to emphasize cartel violence when looking at its southern neighbor. While cartels are undoubtedly a reality in Mexico, we can't really understand how and why they exist without learning the history of the Mexican drug trade.

Professor Benjamin Smith, author of The Dope: The Real History of the Mexican Drug Trade, joins Donnel to discuss the origins and history of the drug trade in Mexico, how it became more violent over time—significantly affected by a culture of aggressive law enforcement starting in the 1970s—the complications of government corruption, and what can possibly be done to solve the problems Mexico faces.

These are not problems confined to Mexico, however: the  ...