Organized crime: causes, impacts, and prevention strategies

Organised Crimes

Organized crime and government

Introduction and overview common definition of organized crime is, "Widespread criminal activities, such as prostitution, interstate theft, or illegal gambling, that occur within a centrally controlled formal structure" (Dictionary: organized crime). The emphasis in this definition is on the elements of control and formal structure, which differentiates this form of crime from other categories of crime

The definition of organized crime however becomes extended when the element of international or transnational crime is added. This means that the organization and activities of crime takes place across a much larger and more complex area and that the effect of this type of crime is more extensive and pervasive.

Another more expressive definition of organized crime is as follows; " Organized crime... is characterized by a few basic qualities including durability over time, diversified interests, hierarchical structure, capital accumulation, reinvestment, access to political protection and the use of violence to protect interests" (Government and organized crime: A history of co-existence, 2008). Among the more well - known organized crime organizations are the Cosa Nostra, known as Mafia, the Russian Mafia, the Japanese Yakuza, the Chinese Triads, the Colombian and the Mexican drug cartels, and the Chechen Mafia. (Government and organized crime: A history of co-existence, 2008)

This paper will attempt to discuss the threat that modern organized crime poses to society and that way that transnational crime has increased this threat. Coupled this is the view that international crime functions and grows in many cases in conjunction and often with the assistance of various governments in the world. The center thesis that will be explored is that international organized crime is a threat that is exacerbated by the tacit and active complicity of some governments in the world.

2. The extent of organized crime

The extent of the increasing threat of organized crime and particularly transnational organized crime was emphasized in a recent statement by the U.S. Attorney General, Michael B. Mukasey. Addressing the Center for Strategic and International Studies think tank in Washington, he stated that;

The challenge we face with the new breed of organized criminals is quite different from the one we faced a generation or two ago,...They are more sophisticated, they are richer, they have greater influence over government and political institutions worldwide, and they are savvier about using the latest technology, first to perpetrate and then cover up their crimes.

Attorney general targeting international organized crime).

It is suggested in this comment that organized crime groups "... have greater influence over government and political institutions worldwide." This is a particularly worrying aspect of modern organized crime. In reality, the interaction between government and organized criminals means that the influence of these groups becomes extensive and more difficult to detect and control. The task of any government is in the first instance to protect its citizens from crime and criminal abuse and if this role is not carried out adequately, then there is a concomitant increase in crime and a reduction of law and order in that society. Crime therefore permeates the very societal structures that are intended to combat it.

In his address Mukasey goes further and states that, "...international organized crime groups controlled "significant positions" in global energy and strategic materials and were expanding holdings in the U.S. materials sector" (Attorney general targeting international organized crime). The influence and growth of organized crime in the world and the United States is therefore a cause for serious concern and this has resulted in a wide range of research studies.

These studies also emphasize other reasons for the growth of organized crime internationally that are linked to various forms of access to societal and governmental structures. It has been found that one of the main reasons for the proliferation and growth of criminal groups is the increased access to information and exchange of idea that is facilitated by the modern communications and Internet technology. This process is also facilitated by the breakdown of national and international borders and barriers. This has been made possible by the increased exchange and sharing technologies and the internet.

In effect, the literature shows that international organized crime has become a problem that is characteristic of the 21st century. As Louise Shelley, Director of the Transnational Crime and Corruption Center (TraCCC) stresses, contemporary organized crime has assumed a particularly significance in this century.

Transnational organized crime will be one of the major problems facing policy makers in the 21st century. It will be a defining issue of the 21st century as the Cold War was for the 20th century and Colonialism was for the 19th. No area of international affairs will remain untouched as political and economic systems and the social fabric of many countries will deteriorate under the increasing financial power of international organized crime groups.(CRIMINAL JUSTICE RESOURCES: Organized Crime)

It is also significant to note that experts determine that two main identifying characteristics of modern organized crime in the United States and in areas of the world are conspiracy, and enterprise. (Kelly, Chin and Schatzberg, 1994, p. 246)

This would suggest that organized crime has evolved and has become an endemic part of the governmental and organizational structures in modern society.

2. The involvement of governments

An interesting fact that points to the extensive nature of organized crime as well to as its sophistication in contemporary society is that "Global corruption is estimated at $1 trillion, which is equal to what organized crime makes per year around the world" (Government and organized crime: A history of co-existence). An alarming aspect of the pervasiveness and growth of international organized crime is the alleged involvement of various governments in promoting and even taking and active part in criminal activities. While these allegations are difficult to prove, the collusion and the involvement of governments, whether tacit or active, is a factor that has surfaced in recent years in many reports and studies.

In the first instance a government can be considered be involved with organized crime in a tacit sense, with corruption in the government acting as a motivating factor and an impetus for the actions of various criminal organizations. In other words, criminal groups are encouraged and motivated through the example of a particular government. This is an accusation and allegation that has been made in many areas of the world. As a Turkish publication noted recently, "As long as we have politicians and government official behaving like criminals and taking bribes, criminal organizations will continue to grow" (Government and organized crime: A history of co-existence).

However, there is also the suggestion that in many cases the relationship between government and organized crimes goes further than tacit approval and providing an unfortunate example. This refers to the even more serious and worrying accusation of direct and purposeful involvement of governments in organized crime. In this regard, some studies compare the structure of government to that of criminal organizations.

Governments have heads of state, leaders, militaries, laws, taxes, customs, punishments and governments control states and go to war, among others... criminal organizations (organized crime) have bosses, dons, families, soldiers, gangs, codes and outs, protection rackets, extortion and punishments.

Government and organized crime: A history of co-existence).

The point of this comparison is that it suggests that governments are involved more directly with organized crime through corrupt officials and politicians; for example through illegal weapons sales which are legitimized by governmental officials - which is an accusation that is made in many African countries. There are various other ways in which a government can be involved in international crime; for example, the facilitation of narcotic trade, international loans, confiscation of private property and corruption etc. (Government and organized crime: A history of co-existence). Various examples of such alleged cases will be provided in the following sections.

3. The dynamics of international organized crime

In order to understand the interrelationship and interaction between governments in the world and the rise of international organized crime, it is useful to analyze the way that the modern transnational and changing world has influenced international crime syndicates and organizations. There is a subtle and complex relationship between the changes in world governments and increases in of international crime.

The modern nature of international crime is emphasized by the following quotation:"... As the world order has changed over the past decade, so too has the nature of organized crime. Not only has organized crime expanded its areas of interest to become a transnational phenomenon; it has also changed the nature of its operations" (Shaw).

In essence, international crime has become more sophisticated and has taken advantage of the changing world situation, particularly with regard to governmental structures. This refers to what is termed a 'crisis of governance' in many countries, which is situation that exists where "....state boundaries no longer inhibit the growth of criminal networks to the extent that they did previously" (Shaw). Furthermore, in many regions of the world there has been a collapse of government and a consequent change in governmental structure, such as occurred in the Soviet Union with the failure of communism. This creates an environment for criminal organizations where they "... can operate in parallel to existing business and government institutions"

Shaw uses the Soviet Union as a good example of this phenomenon. "...the collapse of communist rule allowed the emergence of literally thousands of criminal organisations involving current and former members of the establishment " (Shaw). As Shaw and others points out, a situation where there are functional links between government and organized crime has parallels in many other regions and countries, particularly in the developing countries of Africa and Asia.

In essence, the changing international stage and the disappearance of boundaries and barriers between counties and nations provide the opportunity for criminal organizations to grow. Furthermore, it also provides for the possibility of greater interaction between criminal organizations and governments that may be dependent on these organizations for certain political and social needs.

Government and organized crime

An example of the way that organized crime interfaces and is supported by government has already been referred to in the example of the Soviet Union; where new governmental structures are seen to incorporate elements of organized crime. However, an example that is more verifiable can be found in many African countries.

There are studies that suggest that there is an intersection between organized crime and government in South Africa. With the demise of the system of Apartheid in the country, "..., border controls were weakened, thus creating new potential areas of operation for organised crime" (Shaw). This fact coincided with the transnational and multinational organized crime that was expanding across the globe at the time. As a result crime organizations saw their opportunity in the breakdown of order and "... bought into local operations and expanded them, or contracted subsidiary organizations to conduct their work for them" (Shaw).

Studies also show the way that organized crime has improved its ability to use the available situation of the state to government to their advantage. Therefore, in countries like Russia and Columbia ".... is often difficult to tell where the state ends and organised crime begins. Good state contacts enable operations to run more smoothly, while forewarning crime bosses of any impending government crack-down" (Shaw). It is also significant to note that the control of organized crime in Russia has been hampered by aspects such as the bribery of police and government officials as well as, "The lack of effective communication with law enforcement agencies in other countries" (Carter).