State response by external pressures: The determinants of the state’s strengthening to face the illegal gold mining boom in Peru (2004-2015)

In the context of the current commodity boom, informal and illegal mining have become acute challenges to the Peruvian state. This article documents and explains the state’s response to these challenges. After a stage of inaction (2004-2008), the Peruvian state initially reacted with a disarticulated response (2008-2011) before mounting a more coherent and organized response (2011-2015). Although the state’s response to the challenge has been limited, it is has nevertheless resulted in an observable increase in state capacity. We propose that this phenomenon is better explained by factors external to the state (international pressures and domestic demands) rather than by processes triggered from within.