Organized Crimes and Mafia - Essay Example

Though not exactly defined, notable characteristics of organized crime can be listed as follows;
1. Supply of illegal goods and services
2. Groups intend to gain money and power
3. Runs like a legitimate business
4. High level of professionalism
5. Operated in a hierarchical line
6. Promotes corruption, violence, and fear
7. instant response to members’ mistakes
(Source: Siegel, 390)

As listed above, the major source of profit for organized crime operators is the supply of certain illegal goods and services such as drugs, gambling, pornography, and prostitution. Regardless of any regulation or social barriers, they operate illegal businesses with little ethical concern. In addition to money, power, and prestige also becomes the associated objectives of criminals.

Another notable feature of organized crime is that it is operated with all characteristics of a legitimate business following a specific organizational hierarchy of its own. For instance, there will be a CEO, manager, sometimes an HR director and so forth to operate the business regularly. According to Shelley (2002) today terrorism and transnational crime are the two central threats to our national and international integrity. He describes the linkage of the two as follows;

o both use similar means to exploit the modern technology
o both use the same operators and same systems to move their fund
o Both are keeping a good network to meet funds for their activities

Furthermore, members of organized crime groups maintain a high level of professionalism in their work. They seldom compromise with situational constraints and are exceedingly committed to their assigned goals. This appreciable (?) professional approach to work has enabled many groups to become powerful enough to influence the industrial sectors and even the economy of many developed countries. Like any other legitimate organization, they also promote or degrade their members according to their level of performance, outstanding achievements, and potential. On the other hand, it is highly sensitive in its way of responding to failures or treachery. It tends to persuade members to be part of the group for their whole life so that it can ensure secrecy. If anyone goes beyond the determined limits they can be punished instantly or might encounter death. Organized crime groups also have created national and international linkage with other rebellious groups like terrorists.

Since there are no unanimous criteria or international regulations to restrict organized criminals they continue to be a major threat to the world. Most of the groups have been indulging in crimes such as trafficking weapons, and dreadful explosives, trading drugs, involving in smuggling, operating sex rackets, money laundering, etc. (Block, 232). 

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