Human Trafficking: U.S. & Thailand

This case study describes tensions between international diplomacy and policy in U.S.-Thailand relations concerning human trafficking. The case follows Robert Griffiths, a senior representative of the U.S. Foreign Service in Thailand, as he faces a diplomatic dilemma in 2010 when Thailand is at risk of being put on the State Department’s “watchlist” due to its steady rise in human trafficking victims. The Thai government prided itself on its counter-trafficking efforts and, if listed, would experience humiliation; the U.S. censure could imperil not only future collaboration against human trafficking but also important engagements on trade, intellectual property, and security. The case helps students consider these tensions and explore the role of information as a policy instrument to induce desired actions among external actors.

The case and its sequel are part of a series produced by the Harvard Kennedy School (HKS) Case Program, hosted by the HKS Strengthening Learning and Teaching Excellence (SLATE) initiative, the world’s largest producer and repository of case studies designed for teaching about how government works and how public policy is made. Each case in the series is designed to train public leaders, and introduces actual policy dilemmas along with data to equip students to learn how to apply the rigor of quantitative analysis in the real world.

This case may be purchased for a nominal fee; registered educators may obtain a free review copy. Online supplemental resources include short free documents and videos on how to teach with the case method, as well as downloadable related tip sheets and questions for class discussion.