Welcome to Bazaaristan

Across the globe, 1.8 billion people -- a quarter of the world's population -- work off the books each day. They are paid in cash for the goods they sell and the services they provide, and due to their ubiquity, there's a word for these merchants in nearly every language. As Robert Neuwirth reports, in French colonies, they're known as débrouillards -- self-starters, entrepreneurs, all outside the bureaucratic system. They might be vendors selling revolutionary goods in Egypt's Tahrir Square, Nigerians selling mobile phones, or the guy down the street hawking flowers on the corner. Whoever they are, they work in the world's fastest-growing economy: System D.

As Neuwirth writes, System D, slang for "l'economie de la débrouillardise," is the crucial blackmarket, providing opportunities where the regulated global economy has failed. Its value is estimated at roughly $10 trillion, meaning, as Neuwirth points out, that, "If System D were an independent nation, united in a single political structure -- call it the the United Street Sellers Republic (USSR) or, perhaps, Bazaaristan -- it would be an economic superpower, the second largest economy in the world." The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) predicts that two-thirds of the world's workers will be employed in System D as soon as 2020.

Above, a Pakistani carpet vendor, above, waits for customers at his roadside stall in Quetta on Sept. 16.

BANARAS KHAN/AFP/Getty Images

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SHAZIB111

9:53 AM ET

October 30, 2011

Some are born great..

Robert Neuwirth had rightly reported that, "in French colonies, they're known as débrouillards -- self-starters, entrepreneurs, all outside the bureaucratic system"
Some are born great and some have to achieve greatness. Débrouillards are among those which are self starters and are not born great but they achieve greatness because of their hard-work and consistency. They do migrate to other states, nations and make their living by selling revolutionary goods.
Regard,
Shazib, an skin care/ home remedies for skin care expert.

JLEMIEN

10:04 AM ET

November 4, 2011

Not Just in Developing Countries

This market is alive and thriving in Developed countries to. I live in Spain, and in Barcelon and Madrid, as well as smaller cities like Albacete, it is common to see immigrants and migrants hawking their wares on the street. I enjoyed these photos, but I am concerned that the selection of pictures here gives the false impression that this is only something that happens in China, India, Brazil, and similar "rising" countries. People selling marijuana in the U.S. and Europe or children's toys on the streets of Barcelona are a part of this "Bazzaristan," too.

STEVEN RAY

2:00 PM ET

November 10, 2011

Great point

Excellent point. Massive black markets particularly in 'redistribution' of stolen goods

POINTBLANK

1:14 PM ET

November 8, 2011

I've never heard the name

I've never heard the name Bazaaristan before. FB

SERAFINNUNEZ101

1:24 AM ET

Amazing!

This is great information on Baazaristan. I've been looking for some information about it, along with useful portable printers review. This market is really alive!

RHEWITT

1:45 AM ET

November 17, 2011

Bazaaristan?

Hey, what is exact location of Bazaaristan? But...yes this is very meaningful photo. Touch my heart.

JESSEK

9:14 AM ET

November 21, 2011

Beautiful Picture!

It reminds me of the trip I made with me labor law firm to Jordan, back in 04'. Great colors, brilliant composition.

JASSIMO

1:17 PM ET

November 24, 2011

Never known about Bazaaristan

Never known about Bazaaristan before. It was interesting to read about that!
dynamics crm integration ?

UPINSON

1:24 PM ET

November 25, 2011

Aw, this was a really great

Foreign Policy Magazine

Inside National Security

Photos from the $10 trillion shadow economy.

OCTOBER 28, 2011

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