Social Disorganization And Crime
Social disorganization
Social disorganization is an aspect of linking criminal behavioral patterns to the prevailing socioeconomic as well as social environmental forces in which people live in. The structure of society and the values of the people living in a particular environment have a substantial effect on the disorganization of that society leading to crime. Disorganized societies are characterized by poverty, a heterogeneous population and a weak residential mobility which are sometimes uncontrolled and any effort to modify the above characteristics is met with opposition by the residents of that area Abadinsky, (2007).The social disorganization theory which attempts to explain the origin of social disorganization links high crime rates to the ecological nature of the neighborhood such that youths who are brought up in disadvantaged societies in which delinquency was approved behavior are more likely to engage in criminology. Thus, social disorganization was acquired from the social and cultural values of parents, friends and neighbors such that a disorganized society was at a risk of giving rise to more criminals than an organized society. Over the years social scientists and criminologists have used social disorganization as a method of analyzing criminal behavior as well as criminological aspects of a society Abadinsky, (2007).
Historical social disorganization in relation to organized crime and its evolution
Organized crime is characterized by individuals originating form the same geographical area converging and engaging in criminal activities as a single entity in order to gain financial benefits. A good example of organized criminals is the mafia criminal society of Sicily in the late nineteenth century. This group is composed of Sicilian residents who live in the western part of the country although nowadays they have incorporated members from other areas. Organized crime is deeply linked to the moral problem of integrating sub civilized energy into civilized state building. Societies facing morality issues and those greatly affected by negative ethnicity engage in organized crime to prove there are capable of causing things to happen (Bursik, 2008). Therefore, the mafia was looking for an avenue of displaying their emotions, thoughts and ideologies in a way that would create a greater impact. Thus, their society failed to provide an organized avenue and the only option which was available was involvement in organized crime (Bursik, 2008).
Social disorganization in organized crime
Disorganized societies meets the criteria for organized crime as organized criminal gangs cannot succeed without involving the society they live in to provide all forms of support. This involves corrupting some respectable members by using blackmail and bribery as well as the establishment of symbiotic relationships with key players in government offices such as police officers among other legislators (Bursik, 2008). Other than corrupting government officials, organized crime succeeds in societies which are weak, disorganized and untrusted. Societies which are in political, economical and social turmoil are at a higher risk due to the instability created by the problems. During this turmoil, the organized criminal gangs are able to operate without fear because of the mayhem being created. This instability creates many avenues for establishing illegal trading markets, arm production and smuggling of drugs. Countries which are experiencing ethnic minority discrimination provide conducive environments for the establishment of organized crime as the locals may fail to trust the government in protecting them thus, entrusting their lives to the criminals (Beare, 1997).Therefore, social disorganization meets the criteria for organized crime among its many relationships very well especially now that it is becoming increasingly difficult to distinguish same corrupt and lawless governments from organized crime gangs. Alternatively, some society and major world economies are disorganized such that their leaders use state apparatus to control organized crime for their own benefits. Some are key players of the gangs while some provide state security such that members of the organized criminal gangs (Bursik, 2008).
The relationship between corrupt political machines and social disorganization on development of organized crime
Organized criminal gangs rely on corruption to ensure that their activities remain a top secret and this involves corrupting individuals in high government offices. Disorganized societies are more likely to be corrupted than organized ones due to presence of severe punishment to those who are caught. Consequently, the member’s of organized crime require state security to protect their illegitimate business which may be worth billions of shillings such that only high political offices can help them out (Beare, 1997). Members of authority who have been incorporated into organized crime tend to turn a blind eye on the activities of the gangs while police officers are bribed so that they carry out false prosecutions in addition to providing false evidence. Therefore, there exists a close relationship between social disorganization which includes corrupt governments and organized crime (Beare, 1997).
References
Abadinsky, H., (2007). The Definition and Structure of Organized Crime. Organized Crime, Retrieved on May 13 2010, from http://socyberty.com/issues/social- disorganization-as-a-result-of-moral-decay-2/#ixzz0nzcqRQ00
Beare, M.E. (1997), Coruptionn and organized crime: lessons from history. Journal of crime, law and social change; Springer publishers. Vol.28 no. 2 pp 155-172
Bursik R. J. JR (2008), Social Disorganization and Theories of Crime and Delinquency: Problems and Prospects; American Society of Criminology. Vol, 86 , Iss, 4 , Pp, 519 – 552.
Is this your assignment or some part of it?
We can do it for you! Click to Order!
