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Social Organized Crime Perspective

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Social Organized Crime Perspective
May 21, 2012
CJA 384

Social Organized Crime Perspective
Organized crime is found in the United States of America today and the law enforcement agencies are trying to find a way to curb its existence. Even though there are illegal businesses associated with organized crime, they are mixed in with legal businesses to portray a legal front. It also can be called a social institution because it is led by a boss and follows a chain of command much like a pyramid. Empirical and speculative theories have been developed through the years in order for the law enforcement agencies to better understand organized crime and how to deal with it. This paper will examine a social institution as it applies to organized crime and the empirical and speculative theories most applicable when applied to organized crime and criminal behavior.
Social Institutions Social institutions are groups of people who have the same purpose, goal, or objective, and band together for a common cause (Social Institutions, 2012). They operate differently, but within each social institution the purpose and goal is the same. Some authorities consider organized crime a social institution because the members within each group of leaders have the same purpose of committing illegal actions to obtain money and fame. They do this out of greed for power. The bureaucratic organization and the patron-client organization are examples of an organized crime social institution because they have the same purpose of committing crimes for their own advancement. The bureaucratic organization has a boss who runs the whole operation with strict rules and regulations but there are leaders in charge of their own groups, which are involved in legal and illegal actions. The patron-client organization is built on family and trust among the members. The leaders develop strong

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