Early Organised Crime

11 Key excerpts on "Early Organised Crime"

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  Murder and Mayhem

  Crime in Twentieth-Century Britain

  • David Nash, Anne-Marie Kilday(Authors)
  • 2018(Publication Date)
  • Bloomsbury Academic

    (Publisher)

  This chapter will be constructed of three sections. The first will provide a chronological overview, focussing on the development of the key forms associated with British organised crime. The second section will explore historiographical and criminological approaches. The limited nature of historical research in this area has already been noted. However, this sec-tion will also consider the development of the problematic true-crime genre, which has been largely responsible in providing an organised crime ‘narrative’ on which both historians and criminologists have relied. The third and concluding section will further explore the issues raised Organised Crime, Criminality and the ‘Gangster’ 215 in the preceding sections by using two case studies: the first focussing on the gambling and protection rackets connected to the racecourses during the interwar period and the second, on the rise of project crime from the 1950s and ‘60s. 2. Chronology The definition of organised crime is far from clear cut. Alan Wright has suggested that there might be a distinction between the ways in which crimes, such as burglary for example, are organised and what we might think of as more professional organised crime activity. 7 Referring to historically contextual definitions, Clive Emsley has suggested that the ‘professional criminal’, a term which was used from the later nineteenth century, ‘was someone of ability who had made a rational choice in his way of life and who skilfully used the expanding opportunities provided by faster communication and new technology’. 8 Hence, the terminology of the ‘professional’, the ‘career criminal’ and the organisation of crime were frequently associated with the processes of modernity. Originally the term ‘organised crime’ was used in connection with terrorism, and particularly in relation to events in Ireland in the 1880s when Fenian activity in Britain had escalated.

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  Transnational Organised Crime in International Law

  • Tom Obokata(Author)
  • 2010(Publication Date)
  • Hart Publishing

    (Publisher)

  However, an emphasis on these sets of actors is not suffi-cient to understand organised crime itself, as it is difficult to know how these criminals operate to make profits. As a result, many in the academic and law enforcement communities also focus on the nature of activities conducted by criminals, to which this chapter now turns. 2.2.2 Organised Crime as a Set of Activities If one chooses to focus on organised crime as a set of activities, the term ‘organi-sation’ refers to the ‘structure of a chain of events, of an interaction process, in which different individuals and groups participate in different ways at different stages’. 52 It is the organised nature of illegal activities that is more important, regardless of the types of individuals, groups or organisations involved. To be more specific, organised crime is mainly regarded as illegal enterprises supplying contraband goods and services in illegal markets. This view gained force in 1960s and 1970s, when attention shifted from the criminal organisations to their activities. 53 Schelling’s contribution may be regarded as a starting point, 50 Williams, above ch 1 n 33, 81. 51 On this, see T Obokata, Trafficking of Human Beings from a Human Rights Perspective: Towards a Holistic Approach (Leiden, Martinus Nijhoff Publishers, 2006). 52 Cohen, above n 4, 98. 53 Paoli and Fijnaut, above n 1, 310. Understanding Organised Crime from a Multi-Disciplinary Perspective 20 as his writing has influenced many scholars and was said to shape the modern understanding of organised crime. 54 In his view, the main purpose of organ-ised crime is to provide the public with illicit goods and services in strong public demand. 55 His focus therefore was on the economic aspect of organised crime, and he argued that the economic analysis would allow the authorities to identify the incentives and disincentives to organised crime, evaluate the costs and losses, and restructure their laws and policies accordingly.

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  Organised Crime and the Law

  A Comparative Analysis

  • Liz Campbell(Author)
  • 2013(Publication Date)
  • Hart Publishing

    (Publisher)

  II. Defining Organised Crime This section attempts to tease out what is meant by, and what is excluded from, the term ‘organised crime’, which has been described as provoking an ‘allergic reaction’ in some scholars. 4 Despite its currency and popular use, there is no ‘agreed-upon definition’ of organised crime; 5 in fact many variants have been proposed in the academic, legal and political sense. Essentially, ‘organised crime’ may denote specific structures or organisations that are involved in criminality; the provision of illegal goods or services; or a certain type of crime which meets a given level of gravity. 6 In other words, the term may refer to both the ‘who’ and the ‘what’ of organised crime. 7 The dominant conceptualisation of organised crime in the mid-twentieth cen-tury derived from Cressey’s work on the Mafia, 8 which depicted formal command structures, internal stratification, and unified norms, symbols and collective iden-tity. 9 Cressey’s consultation by the US President’s Commission Task Force on Organized Crime contributed to the generation of the American (and now global) popular perception of organised crime as a centralised criminal organisation (predominantly comprising persons with Italian roots) involved in profitable 4 M Felson, The Ecosystem for Organized Crime, HEUNI Paper No 26 (Helsinki, European Institute for Crime Prevention and Control, 2006) 7 n 4. 5 P Van Duyne, ‘The Phantom and Threat of Organized Crime’ (1996) 24 Crime, Law and Social Change 341, 343. See also F Varese, ‘What is Organized Crime?’ in F Varese (ed), Organized Crime: Critical Concepts in Criminology (London, Routledge, 2010) 1–33; FE Hagan, ‘The Organized Crime Continuum: A Further Specification of a New Conceptual Model’ (1983) 8 Criminal Justice Review 52; and Frank E Hagan, “‘Organized Crime” and “organized crime”: Indeterminate Problems of Definition’ (2006) 9 Trends in Organized Crime 127.

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  Advanced Introduction to Organised Crime

  • Leslie Holmes(Author)
  • 2016(Publication Date)
  • Edward Elgar Publishing

    (Publisher)

  1 1 Definitional aspects The concept of organised crime (OC) is nothing new, with some of its Asian and European variants having been traced back to the sev- enteenth century (Fijnaut 2014); it will be shown below that some activities that can legitimately be called OC can be traced back even earlier. However, it is widely – if not universally – accepted that it has become an increasingly serious security problem for states and socie- ties worldwide since the late-twentieth century. This is to no small extent because, in the era of globalisation, OC has become increas- ingly transnational, so that we now often refer to transnational organ- ised crime or TOC. This is a relatively new term. In the 1970s, the UN’s Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Branch coined the term “transnational crime” (Wright 2006: 22) while, as Siegel and Nelen (2008: 1) point out, it was not until the mid-1990s that the term “global organised crime” came into use. Even the term organised crime is rela- tively new: Klaus von Lampe (2001: 99) notes that it was first coined in Chicago in 1919, so it has only been in use for less than a century. But what exactly do we mean when we refer to “organised crime”? While we all might have an image in our minds when we hear these words, can we be certain that we have essentially the same image? Evidently we do not, and this chapter highlights many of the reasons for the existence of so many differing conceptions of the term. To convey some idea of the range of views, it is worth noting that leading New York-based German criminologist Klaus von Lampe has identified some 180 definitions of OC, indicative of the wide range of views on this. 1 This chapter begins with a very brief history of OC, and then examines the definitions provided by various “official” institu- tions, both international and in individual states, before considering some of the best-known academic definitions.

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  Organized Crime

  • Howard Abadinsky(Author)
  • 2020(Publication Date)
  • Cengage Learning EMEA

    (Publisher)

  Due to electronic rights, some third party content may be suppressed from the eBook and/or eChapter(s). Editorial review has deemed that any suppressed content does not materially affect the overall learning experience. Cengage Learning reserves the right to remove additional content at any time if subsequent rights restrictions require it. DEFINING “ ORGANIZED CRIME ” The criminal organizations examined in this book have historical origins that date back many decades, if not centuries. In contrast, as far as we know, the gang headed by Jesse James was devoid of global connections, their crime portfolio limited to bank and train robbery, and they failed to survive Jesse ’ s death in 1882. While there is a great deal of discus-sion about organized crime groups and their activi-ties, a review of the subject in law enforcement and academic literature reveals it is difficult to deter-mine what exactly is being discussed (Loree 2002). Indeed, the federal Organized Crime Act of 1970 (which contains the RICO section discussed in later chapters) fails to define the subject of its concern. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) defines organized crime “ as any group having some manner of a formalized structure and whose primary objec-tive is to obtain money through illegal activities. Such groups maintain their position through the use of actual or threatened violence, corrupt public officials, graft, or extortion, and generally have a significant impact on the people in their locales, region, or the country as a whole. ” The United Nations Convention Against Transnational Orga-nised Crime (Article 2(a)) states that an “ organised criminal group shall mean a structured group of three or more persons, existing for a period of time and acting in concert with the aim of commit-ting one or more serious crimes or offences estab-lished in accordance with this Convention, in order to obtain, directly or indirectly, a financial or other material benefit.

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  Global Organized Crime

  A Reference Handbook

  • Mitchel P. Roth(Author)
  • 2010(Publication Date)
  • ABC-CLIO

    (Publisher)

  Defining Organized Crime To create laws to effectively combat organized crime on national and international levels, it is necessary to have a mutually accepted Background 11 definition that distinguishes organized crime from other forms of criminality. The lack of consensus has hindered international law enforcement for generations. Indeed, for more than a century, aca- demics, journalists, government officials, and criminal justicians have debated the meaning of “organized crime.” Attempts at ar- riving at a definition can seem like “tilting at windmills,” as no definition can simultaneously address present and future forms of criminality. For American policymakers, the findings of the Presi- dent’s Commission on Organized Crime in 1986 during the Reagan administration marked a major step toward moving away from the traditional Italian model of organized crime. Scholars, journalists, and public officials were forced to reevaluate their understanding of organized crime in the United States as a host of emerging crime groups received prominence in the federal report, ranging from Ja- maican Posses, Asian gangs, and Russian Mafiya to outlaw motor- cycle gangs and prison gangs. Before the 21st century organized crime definitions revolved around a number of central characteristics such as the nature of the offenses committed, the numbers of individuals involved, and the longevity of the criminal enterprise. During the 1990s, the trans- national aspects of organized crime became more broadly empha- sized as global organized crime syndicates emerged as one of the most challenging issues facing law enforcement before the Septem- ber 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Before the 1990s, most organized crime definitions revolved around central characteristics such as the nature and severity of of- fenses committed, the numbers of individuals involved, and the en- during nature of the enterprise.

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  Cultural Criminology

  • Anne Wade(Author)
  • 2019(Publication Date)
  • Society Publishing

    (Publisher)

  Organized Crime and the Society 7 CONTENTS 7.1. Introduction .................................................................................... 144 7.2. Concept Of Organized Crime ......................................................... 145 7.3. Social, Political, And Organized Crimes ......................................... 148 7.4. International Law And Organized Crime ......................................... 155 7.5. Organized And Financial Crime ...................................................... 156 References ............................................................................................. 161 Cultural Criminology 144 A crime is basically an act which is prescribed by the state and the violation of that or commission of that would result into a punishment which is determined by any given institute. There is various kind of crime that can be in vices which are manifested under various statues. Pickpocketing, robbery, burglary, smuggling, drug trafficking, prostitution, gambling are some of the crimes which involve association of a few criminals working as a team. The motive for committing these crimes is profit numerically, organized crime does not involve a large proportion of criminals but for society it is a serious problem. Organized crime has certain important characteristics like teamwork which involves large number of group of criminals which is relatively permanent and may even last decades. Prostitution is illegal in many areas of the world including most of the United States, but it persists in the form of escort services and massage parlors. There are trades that evidently offered legally tolerable services. 7.1. INTRODUCTION In organized crime, it is necessary to understand that how it is a distinct crime from a normal crime in day-to-day life. It is important to understand that how crime is different from organized crime.

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  Redefining Organised Crime: A Challenge for the European Union?

  • Stefania Carnevale, Serena Forlati, Orsetta Giolo, Stefania Carnevale, Serena Forlati, Orsetta Giolo(Authors)
  • 2017(Publication Date)
  • Hart Publishing

    (Publisher)

  Although analytically distinct, we also observe a rise in references to the ‘harmful’ consequences of organised crime (Figure 2, 13.8 per cent and 10.5 per cent respec-tively). Rather than trying to specify what organised crime is, several authors define organised crime by the harm that it causes. The rise of references to harm is likely to be related to the emphasis on harm reduction in other realms of the criminal justice system, such as drug use, prostitution and the public’s protection against violent and sexual offenders. 45 In conclusion, Figures 1 and 2 suggest a trend towards a higher level of gener-ality within definitions of organised crime. From the 1950s onwards, organised crime was narrowly depicted as a highly structured entity, often a synonym for a single crime group, the Italian-American mafia. As this perspective came under sustained criticism in the 1970s, a more general term, ‘enterprise’, came to be pre-ferred by many scholars of the phenomenon. Since the 1990s, an even more gen-eral term has appeared in the von Lampe data set, namely ‘network’. As organised crime is being defined more broadly, it loses specificity, paradoxically leaving it more open to political interpretations; or else the analysis of specifics is subsumed by practical concerns such as its harmful effects. The organised crime label can now be applied to any criminal activity deemed harmful or ‘serious’. B. Activities We now turn to a review of what organised crime does, as it emerges in the defini-tions analysed. Figure 3 summarises some key words—‘monopoly’, ‘the provision of illegal goods and services’, ‘illegal activities’ and ‘predation’—used by authors describing the activities of organised crime. 38 Federico Varese 46 Schelling, ‘What is the Business’ (n 18) 72 and 73. 47 Reuter, The Organization of Illegal Markets (n 32) 31. For an example taken from illegal abortions, see T C Schelling, ‘Economics and Criminal Enterprise’ (1967) 7 (Spring) The Public Interest 61, 75.

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  Introduction to Comparative Politics

  The State and its Challenges

  • Robert Hislope, Anthony Mughan(Authors)
  • 2012(Publication Date)
  • Cambridge University Press

    (Publisher)

  9 9 9 Organized Crime O rganized crime is a problem of tremendous economic, social, and political significance in the world today. Criminal orga-nizations operate around the globe, affecting countries both rich and poor, regimes both democratic and authoritarian, and cultures both Western and non-Western. Its practitioners are secretive and elu-sive, for their behavior necessarily takes place in the shadows, hidden from the gaze of the public eye. Despite this opaqueness, global criminal organizations have an impact on contemporary states that is real, often dramatic, and definitely substantial. Scholars of comparative politics have traditionally not identified organized crime as a core, defining issue of the field in the same way that they have with problems like development, democratization, institutions, or culture. The time has come to correct this oversight. This chapter is divided into four sections. The first demonstrates the significance of organized crime in the contemporary world. The second provides definitions of key terms, explores how organized crime is struc-tured, and considers how globalization impacts the criminal industry. The third section focuses on patterned interactions between criminals and politicians. Organized crime cannot prosper without the assistance of corrupt politicians. In many places in the world, a political-criminal nexus prevails, in which criminals and state agents derive mutual rewards and benefits from covert networks of cooperation. Finally, the fourth section contains a series of case studies that cast light on the political-criminal nexus in a variety of settings. We start by examining Italy, which is the classic case of a mafia-penetrated state. Next, Russia’s postcom-munist transition illustrates the emergence of criminal organizations as the state weakened and declined during the country’s “roaring ’90s.” The final case explores the connection between crime and politics in Mexico 265

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  Transnational Organized Crime

  • Frank Madsen(Author)
  • 2009(Publication Date)
  • Routledge

    (Publisher)

  2 History and development of the concept of organized crime

  This chapter will consider the formulation and development of the concept of “organized crime,” the definitional difficulties identified by scholarship, and the inability of present conceptualizations satisfactorily to account for transnational crime and crime organizations in an age of globalization. The perceptual outcome of this inability which obtains today is to view organized crime as a closed ethnic group.1

  A further issue, which renders conceptualization difficult, is the increasing co-mingling of illicit and licit businesses run by organized crime groups. Also the illicit trade in licit product such as untaxed cigarettes by organized crime deepens the conceptual complexity. Finally, one must question the dividing line between organized crime and so-called white-collar crime, another criminological conceptualization, which sits awkwardly with criminal justice studies. French scholars have asked the above question and have pointed out that it is perhaps not possible to establish a dividing line between the two kinds of criminality—apart from the rather amusing fact that white-collar crime relies on an illegal back room and organized crime on a legal front room.2

  As noted in the introduction, criminogenesis forms an important thread throughout the work. Over the last century, two concurrent developments are of import in the present context: first, that a number of acts, such as the trafficking in arms and narcotic drugs, have been criminalized, creating a prohibition regime ; and second, that a number of such prohibition regimes have homogenized and converged into an international prohibition regime , under pressure from governments and so-called transnational moral entrepreneurs, exemplified by NGOs.3

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  The Disruption of International Organised Crime

  An Analysis of Legal and Non-Legal Strategies

  • Angela Veng Mei Leong(Author)
  • 2016(Publication Date)
  • Routledge

    (Publisher)

  Chapter 5Traditional Legal Response to Organised Crime

  Depending on the scope of the problem, various anti-organised crime legislative acts and approaches have been established in different countries. Some legislation focuses on criminalising the act of the crime, while others criminalise the membership of certain groups. In other words, provisions for criminalising members of organised crime groups can be divided into two categories: the first category is the criminalisation of specific offences committed by members of an organised crime group; and the second category is the criminalisation of the membership of an organised crime group which makes it an offence to become a member. This chapter analyses the experience of the United States and other countries in dealing with organised crime. The traditional criminal legal response in the United Kingdom is discussed and compared with those in other countries. Since targeting the proceeds of criminal activities plays an important part in combating organised crime and terrorism, the history and development of money laundering, forfeiture and confiscation provisions in the United Kingdom are also reviewed in this chapter.1

  Criminalising Specific Offences as Organised Crime: The American Experience

  The United States is a leader in anti-organised crime legislation and many jurisdictions around the world often benchmark themselves against the development in America. One of the most influential and controversial legislation on organised crime is the Racketeering Influenced and Corrupt Organisations Act 1970 (RICO), which represents a cornerstone of American’s response to organised crime.

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