Thesis on "Organized Crime and Its Influence on Politics in Eastern Europe After the Fall of Communism"

Thesis 48 pages (15157 words) Sources: 18

[EXCERPT] . . . .

Organized Crime and Its Influence on Politics in Eastern Europe After the Fall of Communism

What is Organized Crime?

Influence of Organized Crime in Politics in General

Influence of Organized Crime in Politics in Eastern Europe

Background information on breakup of Yugoslavia and the Soviet Union

Political Sector of Balkans after breakup of Yugoslavia and the Soviet Union

How Organized Crime influenced the Political sector of Balkans after breakup of Yugoslavia and the Soviet Union

One cannot ignore the fact that the globe has penetrated into the age of industrial revolution where the technological and scientific advancements and innovations are at the peak. In this era of progression, social issues and concerns have simultaneously been escalating at an unprecedented rate. Crime, indeed, organized crime has become one of the increasingly growing issues for not only specific nations but for the entire world. In other words, the transnational organized crime that has become a growing concern on a universal basis has elevated the threat and risk to the stability of the nations in terms of political, economic and social (Madsen, 2009).

The challenges and affects of organized crime that are consequential to the nation and its denizens have been existed since centuries and is not a new concept. Besides, the intensive and determined efforts that are made to wipe out or restructure the organized crime have also been present from the time transnational organized crime has existed. However, it is the perception that has changed over the years, as people have gained more insight and awareness nowadays with respect to the organized crime, which has become a globalized threat to the security on national as well as on international basis (Madsen, 2009).

The illegal actions performed by an individual refers to the perception is authenticated as criminal actions. It is significant to comprehend the reasons that motivate the people to be a part of the illicit activities of crime. However, pertaining to this theme, the contributing motives that persuade the people to participate in organized crime include from simple greed for money, hunger for power, their overall circumstances, poor financial conditions and many others. Taking into account the crimes that are committed by the people in organized crime agencies includes the offensive actions and activities such as torture, violence, extortion, robbery, blackmail, physical destruction, murder and various others (Madsen, 2009).

Even though, one cannot find any single and universally accepted definition of the organized crime, yet on the broad spectrum, organized crime is an operating venture or organization on an ongoing basis that engages itself in the production and trade of goods and services that are purely illicit (Madsen, 2009).

In order to comprehensively and holistically understand the functions of organized crime, it is essential to accumulate and integrate the knowledge, wisdom and insight from several disciplines, as the organized crime cannot be completely understood by one discipline. However, law and order of the nations and on international basis has been observed as one of the most pertinent and dominating discipline that can facilitate in developing an understanding to the origins of organized crime activities. This is predominantly due to the reason that laws are the corner stone for gaining the insight that what is legally accepted within the society and what is unacceptable or wrong from the social and legal perspective (Madsen, 2009).

It has come to notice that from the end of the Cold War, international domination and power has been disastrous in keeping and maintaining the pace with economic globalization. Due to this reason, criminals have had a huge opportunity to thrive and flourish, as the globalization aroused and encouraged global economic growth and development. Moreover, the emergence and development of revolutionary technology, rising businesses, as well as political pressures has also largely contributed in providing the criminal organizations with a new avenue to grow and prosper (Madsen, 2009).

As criminal groups and networks have progressively broadened their horizons to the global platform, they have gained more access within the governmental agencies and huge businesses. Additionally, the organized crime has not left any nation from its indelible imprints whether it is underdeveloped nations or developed countries with no instant approach of halting their development. With this infiltration, these criminals have produced and formed ways to increased corruption, and at the same time, jeopardized safety and well-being (social and economic) of various developing nations. Therefore, it validates that organized crime has reconstituted its influence and supremacy in the political and economic sector on international basis in an extremely negative manner (Madsen, 2009).

Since the subject matter of organized crime in the past few decades have completely evolved into its own sub-discipline, hence, it has become imperative and vital to understand the aspects of their success in their endeavors and efforts in order to come up to some effective solutions to halt such activities. Economics, business, law, history, and politics are few of the fundamental disciplinary areas that ought to be explored so that the root cause of the problem can be determined and identified (Madsen, 2009).

However, from the general and broad perspective, many of the issues and concerns that has a profound connectivity with social control, is also interlinked to the political segment. In this regard, organized crime has been witnessed to have deep influence in politics. Considering the fact that global organized crime is spread to every corner of the world and is continuing to expand through permeating into economies, thus, in this regard, the thesis report intends to have a deep analysis and assessment on the influence of organized crime on politics.

The research study in this regard includes a comprehensive analysis on the topic of organized crime, its influence in politics, particularly in the region of Eastern Europe, after the breakup of Yugoslavia and the Soviet Union. The background information on breakup of Yugoslavia and the Soviet Union would also be an integral aspect of the study, as it would help to develop an understanding on how organized crime leaves an influence on such unstable political conditions.

What is Organized Crime?

Organized crime is typically defined as the universal venture and business that has encircled all the nations of the world and has become transnational organized crime. Although the experts and professionals have not developed any particular universal definition of organized crime, but organized crime typically refers to the organization or enterprise that is operating on a long-term basis with the primary function of production and trading of goods and services that are merely illegal and illicit (Abadinsky, 2009).

However, Lyman and Potter describe organized crime as "a continuing, profit-motivated, criminal enterprise that employs the use of fear, violence, intimidation, and public corruption to achieve organizational goals and remain immune from law enforcement" (Lyman and Potter, 2000, pp. 9).

The organized crime has infiltrated to all over the world ranging from Japan to Russia to USA. In wide-ranging aspect, organized crime typically involves illegal acts that are inhuman, heartless and brutal, however, some of the common and widespread affronts and offenses of the organized crime incorporate torture, violence, extortion, blackmail, physical assault, kidnapping, murder, money laundering, drug trafficking, human trafficking, armed robbery and various others (Abadinsky, 2009).

Taking into account, the activities and operations of the organized crime groups, it has been examined that nearly all the groups work in the similar fashion. This means that these organized crime groups are non-ideological, monopolistic, have their own hierarchical systems, provide limited and exclusive membership, and preside over by specific rules and regulations. Moreover, the organized crime groups elect and make their own governmental systems that particularly exist for rewarding and punishing the members of the groups (Abadinsky, 2009).

Punishment is an integral part of the organized crime groups, particularly due to the reason that strongly believes in maintaining strict and proper law and order amongst all the members, which are same for everyone and no one receives any special treatment. In fact, the organized crime groups do not empower the members to become witnesses of the government, as it poses danger and risk for the entire enterprise. Furthermore, records have revealed the fact that many of the organized crime enterprises have strict rules with reference to murders and assassinations, such that they are not allowed to kill the innocent people of the state or nation. This signifies the fact that the criminals only target other criminals from either their own organization or from various other organizations (Abadinsky, 2009).

The prime motive of these organizations is to gain control and dominance over certain industries and sectors so that they can create their own system of monopoly and supremacy over the invaded sectors. Once they are able to take over the entire industry, they it becomes near to impossible to prevent them from doing what they wish to do. The organized crime is also intended to gain more money and increase their financial assets to the quantity that no one can image (Abadinsky, 2009).

Moreover the greed for power or being physically the most dangerous people that can… READ MORE

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