Social Organize Crime Perspective Paper Cja/384

Social Organize Crime Perspective Paper CJA/384 Instructor: Dorothy Massey

Criminal Organizations are highly organized, more than ever before; they have taken a new approach to handle various situations and committing more complex crimes. In this paper we will be discussing how organize crime groups may be considered social institutions of the criminal world, and what empirical and speculative theories are relevant to organized crime and criminal behavior. Criminal Organizations as Social Institutions Criminal organizations today have a more complex way to approach various situations, these organized criminals are going for higher stakes and more risk, it only makes sense to ensure that all members are on the same page with each other and there is a type of leadership within the organizations for the final word. Social institutions are organizations of people who abide by the laws and follow general rules and guidelines in a collective manner, these social groups could be normal clubs with one thing or goal in common. Gangs on the other hand are the same in many ways, they are a group of people with the same types of objectives and interests, but obtain their wants and needs in a illegal fashion, breaking any of the set rules or guidelines may also mean a beating or death because once you are involved with the gang you cannot escape it easily or without a scratch. Social institutions may not be associated with organized crime because of the illegality of the actions committed by these criminals, we see them being more associated with the general populations that does not commit crime on such large scales. These criminal organizations have come far when it comes to the actual organization of members and setting up guidelines and rules all members must abide by, biker gangs, drug cartels and mafia are a few of these organizations that have these guidelines that must be follow, these gangs are also more reckless and harsh in their ways of enforcing them on members. Empirical and Speculative theories Conspiracy is one theory I think best describes criminal organizations and the criminals within them. The conspiracy theory states basically that the drive to commit crimes or be involved with them would the basic “want” of things in society. Such as cars, money, jewelry, power, and other things not easily obtained by people who do not work. These things are what give the criminals the drive to commit crimes, and for those who take part in the crime somehow, such as a paid politician or person within a seat of power, then money is the basic drive for them to give the criminals the ability to have some kind of controlled outcome in their favor. Paid people within a seat of power are often tainted by these criminals and are given gifts of money and other items in order to have a voice, whether it is in a prison, courtroom, politics, or within law enforcement. The hierarchy theory is another theory I think has a major affect on the criminal organizations and the criminals within them, this theory explains the important roles of all the various rankings within a criminal organization and how the placement of these different people have a major affect on the organizations actions. These gangs that follow the structure are more successful when it comes to ensuring their organization is successful in all their endeavors, these higher up ranking people also ensure that all rules and guidelines are being followed and met. In conclusion, criminal organizations are illegal forms of social institutions that follow guidelines and rules in order to remain organized and successful in their goals. These organizations are only successful as their members, without the proper guidance and drive that comes from wanting unobtainable things; the organization would not be as successful as most of them are now. These organizations are notorious today because of the level of structure they are known for and the ability to have some type of power or influence in many places with people who have power in various areas, it is a scary thought to think about when it comes to wondering how far these criminals can get with money and influence in a system that fights against it.