Associating in Criminal Organizations: Crime as Enterprise

• NCJ Number: 148639
• Journal: Revija za Kriminalistiko in Kriminologijo Volume: 44 Issue: 4 Dated: (1993) Pages: 327-337
• Author(s): J Pecar
• Date Published: 1993
• Length: 11 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Research (Theoretical)
• Country: Yugoslavia (Former)
• Note: English summary

Annotation

This article examines the characteristics and operations of organized crime in general and its implications for Slovenia in a Europe "without borders."

Abstract

Organized crime is common in the contemporary world. The most widespread form is so-called "business crime," although there are other forms. The common feature of all forms of organized crime is gaining profit in ways that are illegal and in accordance with the principle of making the largest profit from the smallest investment. This type of crime can be portrayed as a bureaucratic institution with defined norms, organization, management, and the disciplining of its members to facilitate cooperation in illegal enterprises. Organized crime, whether it is conventional or associated with a legitimate business, is accompanied by some secondary features, such as corruption, falsification, the use of coercion and threats, infiltration into legitimate activities, connection with politicians, destruction of other's property, and sometimes murder. Organized crime tends to be a byproduct of capitalism. Evidence of this is the increase in organized criminal gangs in the former socialist and communist countries. Governments find it difficult to eradicate organized crime, because as individual members are incarcerated, others take their places in the organization. Hierarchy, division of tasks, discretion, and criminal expertise make it difficult for the police to counter organized crime. Organized crime thus persists as a socioeconomic system that is untaxed and unregulated by the government. Organized crime associated with Europe "without borders" will affect the Slovene criminal policy development in which foreign rather than domestic organized crime will dominate due to the smallness of the country. This situation requires that Slovenia prepare for this eventuality in theoretical as well as practical terms. 42 references