Organized Crime and Differential Association

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Organized Crime and Differential Association

When one thinks of organized crime, we think of the Italian mob of the 40-50’s. These were organized crime syndicates involved in a multitude of crimes including robbery, distribution of illicit substances, gambling, racketeering, and extortion. As well, these criminal activities inevitably led to other crimes such as murder, assaults, prostitution. One of the primary concerns of the federal government during this time, regarding organized crime groups, was their ability to infiltrate legitimate business. In October 1970, the federal government passed the organized crime control act of 1970. Title IX, better known as the RICO act, targeted crime groups that attempted to take over legitimate businesses, through illegal means, both federally and civilly (Geary p315). These organizations affected the community at the time through theft of revenues, violence, gambling, or extortion.

        Currently, Organized crime takes on a more diverse set of activities than the narrow historical view presented. Organized crime syndicates today deal in organs trafficking, prostitution, drug trafficking, endangered species trafficking, ivory dealing, financial schemes, etc. Some authors argue that a definition of organized crime is not always clear. One author cites a definition of organized crime by The United Nations Convention Against Transnational Crime as such: “[S]tructured group of three or more persons existing for a period of time and acting in concert with the aim of committing more serious crimes or offenses in accordance with this Convention in order to obtain, directly or indirectly, a financial or other material benefit.” (Clark pg99) Organized crime in this respect is performed by members of a group. This is not to be confused with crime that is committed within an organized market. Individuals who commit crime within an organized market, such as the drug trade, for their own sake, are not a part of an organized crime group. They are simply one part in an organized network of interactions.  We intend to talk about organized crime groups consisting of multiple members who work together to gain profitable ends for all members in that group.

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        In this paper we will examine organized crime groups and their activities through the paradigm of differential association as proposed by Edwin H. Sutherland and Donald R. Cressey (Sutherland Cressy pg 237).

         Sutherland proposes 9 propositions to explain the development of crime. The primary idea is that people learn behaviors from those whom they are associated with. People also acquire their directions of their motivations and attitudes from these intimate others.  Although Sutherland claims that this social learning theory explains learned behavior of all people he directs this theory to explain the behavior of crime. We will examine organized ...

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