Pirates as an Idea

Abstract

At least 12 foreign ships are being held hostage in the waters off Eyl in the Nugal region, 300 nautical miles south of Africa's Horn, including a Ukrainian vessel, the MV Faina, loaded with 33 tanks and ammunition that was hijacked in September. The captured ships are being closely watched by hundreds of pirates aboard boats equipped with satellite phones and GPS devices. Hundreds mo re gunmen provide back-up on shore, where they incessantly chew the narcotic leaf ‘qat’ and dream of sharing in the huge ransoms that can run into millions of dollars. (Source: The Age) The above article is but one of many in the press in recent times reflecting how present day pirates operate. Pirates are still ruling the high seas, but historically what triggered their choice of lifestyle and why are they still active in the 21st century? Could actions in the past have eradicated the pirate industry a long time ago or is it just part of natural evolution?