Control Of Organized Crime Assignment Paper

Organized Crime
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Abstract
Organized Crime has always been an issue in our society that strived along with our history. It made compelling effects in our societies that in effect helped shaped the laws of the land as it has affected the lives of common citizens as well as those who hold positions in the government. It is not just a localized issue but a global one. Operations of criminal syndicates extend beyond one country’s border and with the help of so many factors including the corruptibility of officials in government systems, control and prevention of organized criminal activities have been very difficult for the enforcers of the law. With the great possibility of linking with terrorist organizations, new tools and strategies must be developed to combat organized crime. As the criminal organizations evolve in complexity, the government must altogether cope and think ahead of time to combat this issue effectively.
Organized Crime
One of the closest possibility that anyone can be involved in an organized crime is in the movies. The Godfather movie is one of the best entertaining depiction of what is happening inside a crime organization and it was so prominent, that it even affected how the real Mafia themselves think (Moore, 2014), although at a moment in time, they also tried to stop the production of the movie. Apart from the drama that were expressed by those involved in the film, the movie also brought light to the influences of a criminal organization in the conduct of public governance and politics and the complexities that the enforcers of the law has to deal with.
Organized crime is defined variedly from one country to another. It may however be generally understood as “criminal activities that are planned and controlled by powerful groups and carried out on a large scale” (Oxford Living Dictionaries, n.d.). In one form or another, it can be found all over the world and in any levels of society (Lefèvre, 2013). It continues to evolve as government policies change, economies develop and technologies advance. Organized crime affects the citizens of a country as well as its leaders and law makers and enforcers. Violence and disregard for human rights threatens peace and security and forms a deterrent to social and economic development in the long run.
What is Organized Crime
As previously defined, criminal activities done by small gangs are not classified as organized crime although there are planning involved, the groups may have they own identities and may affect entities across the globe in cases like cybercrimes. On the other hand, all over the world, the most recognizable names that has something to do with organized crimes are the Mafia and the Yakuza as well as the Triad. These criminal organizations, have a long history of racketeering, drug trafficking, smuggling and all other criminal activities known in every criminology books. The Yakuza itself are known to have originated in Japan as early as the 17th century.
Global Problem
These criminal organizations belong to the FBI’s classification of Transnational Organized Crime (TOC) groups, which are self-perpetuating associations formed by individuals and conduct their activities which are contrary to laws or by illegal means without respect to geography. They incessantly pursue the access to power and influence and are mostly motivated by monetary advantages. They vary in structures and may evolved as the opportunity allows to survive the threat of lawful government authorities. They have networks, cells, clans and have even influences in minor gangs in the localities on one hand and a corrupt government on the other.
The expansion of the Internet and cellular telephone networks have given way to almost instantaneous communication allowing organized criminals to coordinate efficiently and effectively all over the world. The integration of financial systems also allows criminal syndicates to easily move money, laundering their illegal earnings.
The control if not the elimination of these criminal activities perpetuated by these organizations has been a very daunting task for the men and women of the law. The Federal Bureau of Investigation has found that the depth and strength of these organization, especially in financial terms have made it very difficult to for them to stop these organizations, even if key members are removed (FBI, n.d.).
One more factor that makes it hard to totally crackdown an organized crime syndicate is their loyalty to one another. Loyalty born out of fear is very common and difficulties in litigation is a very common experience in the courts. The life and the organization of the real life crime families depicted in several crime movies are real and their cohesiveness proved a very relevant factor in making the job of the government authorities very hard indeed.
The common hardships and difficulties faced by some members of the society especially that of the out casted became reasons for them to band together to rise up against those who persecute them, such as in the case of some Yakuza groups (Szczepanski, 2017). However, many of them eventually resorted to activities which were contrary to laws and oftentimes also contrary to morals. The financial enrichment of these illegal activities also became motivation for the continuance and furtherance of the organization and their activities.
The changes in the government policies, political structures and economic agenda also gave way to the spread of organized crime. The collapse of governments became venues for organized crimes to spread seriously, such as...