"Throughout my life I’ve seen firsthand that while talent, ambition, and hard work are distributed equally among all people around the world, many face challenges each day simply surviving. The Locust Effect is a compelling reminder that if we are to create a 21st Century of shared prosperity, we cannot turn a blind eye to the violence that threatens our common humanity."
Former U.S. President
"The Locust Effect provides a much-needed argument for reducing violence against the poor and a demonstration — through first-hand stories that are both shocking and true — of why that goal is so vital. The book is both a vehicle for hearing voices rarely heard and a declaration of faith that, with sufficient will, there are ways to halt the physical and financial exploitation of the disadvantaged. By reminding us that basic legal protections are not a privilege, but a universal right, Gary Haugen has issued a moral call to arms that informs the brain and touches the heart." Former U.S. Secretary of State | ||
“The Locust Effect makes a robust argument for the devastating impact of everyday violence on the poor and their efforts to escape poverty. I have seen this truth in my own work, and I am impressed with the way the book develops this theme. I hope more people will read this important book.” Founder of Grameen Bank, Nobel Laureate |
“Some of the biggest ideas are right in front of us but still invisible. The Locust Effect brings home, in convincing and powerful detail, the simple but oh-so-important point that poverty results from violence as much as violence results from poverty. Not necessarily the violence of war, massacre, and mass atrocities, but the everyday violence of crime, bullying, and lawlessness. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in development, security, and the failure of billions of people to achieve their potential.” President, New America Foundation | |
“The Locust Effect is a powerful reminder that poverty and violence are inextricably linked. Violence undermines all development outcomes-reducing income, restricting lifelong potential and increasing mortality and vulnerability to HIV. Gary Haugen issues a timely call to address the moral outrage of violence against the poor head on, with unblinking honesty and unwavering commitment.” President and CEO, CARE | ||
“Why is it that, in so many places around the world, murder and violence are normal aspects of daily life? This extraordinary book offers surprising and valuable insights about the nature and the drivers of the plague of violence that haunts the global poor, as well as smart ideas about how to tackle it. A must read.” Scholar, Carnegie Endowment, Author of The End of Power, and Former Editor-in-Chief of Foreign Policy | ||
“The rule of law and a well-functioning public justice system are the preconditions for economic development, but they are even more essential for social progress. The Locust Effect: Why the End of Poverty Requires the End of Violence is an appeal to the global community to engage much more into multi-stakeholder action to combat violence, crime, and abuse. This is the only way to secure a human future for mankind.” Founder & Executive Chairman, World Economic Forum | ||
“You may ‘know’ that the world’s poor suffer common everyday violence — robbery, extortion, rape, murder, torture — a stream of humiliating assaults on their dignity. You may ‘know’ that this implies lost productivity and ultimately lost growth for low-income economies. Haugen asks why, if we know all that, we do so little? … Read this book and you will be convinced the issue deserves more of your attention.” Founding President, Center for Global Development | ||
“A thorough analysis of the intersection of poverty and violence, this book not only exposes the power imbalances and structural failures in public justice systems across the globe, but also makes the case that personal safety and security are human rights that must be defended. It provides provocative evidence that violence disproportionately impacts the poor and is an intolerable injustice.” President, Oxfam America | ||
“The Locust Effect is a wake-up call to everyone who cares about global poverty. As International Justice Mission's Gary Haugen and co-author Victor Boutros report, with painstaking data and breath- taking cases from the field, unchecked violent crime against the poorest, especially girls and women, isn't just a human rights problem. It is a drag on development that no amount of foreign aid can fix if functioning public justice systems aren't part of the solution." Director, Google Giving |
“An insightful, incisive analysis of violence as it impacts every level of the plight of the poor. A compelling wake-up call for all who care about justice and human rights. It tells the truth and gives tools and guidelines that demand attention.” Chief Executive, World Vision Australia | |
“The Locust Effect does a great service to masses of poor and vulnerable children and adults who are victims of everyday, ordinary violent crime but who are wholly unprotected by law enforcement institutions. International Justice Mission and authors Gary Haugen and Victor Boutros have put the life-and-death issue of poor people’s access to the rule of law squarely on the agenda of governments, development institutions, and civil society.” President and CEO of Human Rights First | ||
“Gary Haugen and IJM are waking up the social consciences of the worldwide Church, even as they have shown the international human rights community why the end of poverty requires the end of violence caused by the widespread failure of justice systems in the developing world. In this important book, Haugen continues to do both.” Redeemer Presbyterian Church of New York City | ||
“In a world of simplistic and knee-jerk responses to the world's problems, Gary Haugen arrives with insight, wisdom, and realism. The Locust Effect is a game-changer. From real-life, real-world experiences, Haugen easily punctures the idea that poverty, discrimination, even modern slavery, is all about economics or ideology. In its place, he gives us a rich understanding of humanity's cruelty and its hope. He shows us how violence slices through all our good intentions, negating development, rights, and freedom. He demonstrates how violence echoes down through generations damaging hearts and minds and frustrating our efforts to do good. He also offers the transformative power of forgiveness and reconciliation. This is a book that is as smart as it is heartfelt, as grounded as it is creative. These are ideas of real power and grace.” Professor of Contemporary Slavery, Wilberforce Institute for the Study of Slavery | ||
"The Locust Effect presents a compelling and shocking portrayal of the relationship between violence and poverty. The book convincingly argues that violence is the missing link in our understanding of global poverty and of our development interventions. Haugen has spent decades in extraordinary work to address violence, to free those subjected to it, and to apply the rule of law. His firsthand account brings needed moral and developmental urgency to the relentless and pervasive violence poor people experience, especially women and girls. This is a must-read book that will fundamentally expand our analysis of the nature of global poverty and our efforts to overcome it." Former U.S. Under Secretary of State for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights | ||
“The Locust Effect makes a compelling case that a country that wants to grow and prosper needs a public justice system that protects its people, especially victims of crime, exploitation, and oppression. Developing nations must provide their citizens with police who are honest, active, and willing to protect victims of crime and exploitation — especially the poorest and most vulnerable in society.” Director of Cambodia’s Anti-Human Trafficking & |
“Haugen and Boutros present a compelling argument, and evidence, for the rule of law as a cornerstone to end extreme poverty. Without an end to the violence that plagues so many in slums, labor camps, brothels, villages, and neighborhoods, our work to end extreme poverty, stop senseless disease among children, and create sustainable economic solutions could erode and even altogether unravel. The Locust Effect is a tour de force into suffering and especially the solutions the poor dream of. May we pursue these goals together in order to put an end to the great evils of our day. I highly commend this book.” President & CEO, World Relief | |
“Philippines, for example, is an extraordinary story of how a committed team can come to understand justice system failures, support improvements at every step in the law enforcement process, strengthen the hand of internal reform champions, and achieve transformation. There are people in every corner of the world working to advance justice. I recommend this book to all of them.” CEO and Founder of Namati | ||
“In my years of experience working with communities around the world, one thing is clear: Exploitation is almost always a root cause of poverty. That's why the solution to poverty must involve justice. Thankfully, Gary Haugen is on the case.” President of World Vision US and author of | ||
“The Locust Effect is both an innovative and audacious must-read book. Never before has the role of the day-to-day violent crime against the poor in societies of developing countries so meticulously been analyzed and given center stage. IJM’s Gary Haugen and co-author Victor Boutros have not resorted to the usual language on legal aid development but challenge it. And it’s all there: the mind-blowing waste of money, the self-interest, the politics, the incompetence and much more. Yet, they present compelling and hopeful examples of legal aid that is effective. After this book, nobody in the business can claim they didn’t know. The book is a big call for change to every individual, organization and government who bears responsibility!!” Expert in the Rule of Law mission of the European Union in Palestine |
“This crucial study carefully documents the fundamental truth that the end of poverty demands the end of violence. Both fascinating and important, Gary Haugen's book is a moving demonstration that is at once fact-filled and highly readable — a truly unusual combination.” Carl M. Loeb University Professor and Professor of |
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“I have seen firsthand the ravages of violence against women and children all over the world. International Justice Mission continues to bring to light the impact of common crime, not only on individual victims but on whole countries. The Locust Effect is a must read book for everybody who cares about the poorest of the poor.” Humanitarian and Business Owner | ||
“Poverty is made far worse by a global epidemic of violence, and the church has been slow to recognize and respond to that reality. Yet the Bible is unflinching in recognizing the role violence plays in injustice, and unceasing in offering hope that God sees and responds to the victims of violence. This book could be of great significance in equipping churches to proclaim our Christian hope for the poor, and to implement responses that restrain the perpetrators of violence and restore dignity to its sufferers.” Executive editor, Christianity Today | ||
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“In a remarkably sensitive study, very aptly named The Locust Effect, the authors have provided many new valuable insights into the intimate relationship between poverty and violence plaguing the billions of global poor in many post-colonial societies across continents. This is also probably the first time that Western observers have come upon the unpleasant reality that it is, in fact, the native political establishments in South Asian countries themselves who stubbornly refuse to break away from the colonial ruler supportive police and criminal justice systems, concepts, laws, procedures, and mind sets imposed by the imperialist rulers, thus denying their peoples the benefits of a citizen friendly law enforcement system. An invaluable companion to all criminal justice studies.” Former Director General of Police in the Indian states of Punjab and Madhya Pradesh |
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“When the bell tolls for justice throughout the modern world, Gary Haugen is most often nearby, raising his voice (and ours) as a tireless sentinel for freedom for the poor and oppressed--those who live beyond the reach of the protections many in the western world take for granted day by day. In The Locust Effect, Gary unveils the deeper issues of poverty and uncovers what we often fail to see, or worse, do not want to acknowledge is real. As always, Gary's words are cloaked with gentle compassion. Yet, his formidable experience, deep-rooted faith and undaunted passion cause a shift in our thinking and call for action that shatters the systems that enslave. I found The Locust Effect an arresting and epic read, one in which Gary makes an inescapable connection between violence and poverty, reshaping the conversations concerning justice in a tangible way, one that will hopefully lead to a new and bright existence for millions around the globe.” Pastor, Passion City Church and Founder, Passion Conferences |
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“Gary Haugen's The Locust Effect is an exhaustive, devastatingly painful look at the very problem the ‘civilized world’ would rather not face: the systemic, unspeakable violence against the poorest of the world's poor. This book is hard to read. One wants to turn away. And yet the reader can only wonder what would happen without the profound work of Gary Haugen and International Justice Mission and their tireless efforts to end the madness.” Host on NBC’s The TODAY Show |
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