Social Organized Crime Perspective

Social Organized Crime Perspective

Carla Howard

CJA 384

University of Phoenix

Organized crime is something that continues to exist in society after many years and will more than likely exist for many years to come. Several reasons and theories attempt to explain why organized crime exists, but just one cause cannot be to blame. Generally when a person hears the term institution the person visualizes a building, such as a hospital or prison. That in mind may be difficult to understand how social institutions apply to organized crime. In the following paper some light will be shed on the connection between social institutions and organized crime as well as empirical and speculative theories relating to organized crime.

Much of society may not view organized crime as a social institution because of an unclear comprehension of social institution. Many people may see institutions as buildings or places, but this is not the case with social institutions. Groups of people who share a complex, integrated set of social norms that remain organized around the preservation of a basic societal value make a social institution (sociology Guide, 2011). Social institutions may include schools, churches, communities, or even organized crime networks. Each of these groups functions together and share a set of norms and values. Warren identifies five major community functions as production, distribution, and consumption as one, socialization, social control and participation, and mutual support (Lyman & Potter, 2007). Organized crime has basically the same functions as a group trying to achieve the same goals.

Organized crime groups have hierarchy leaders to define and dictate obligations and expectations. Organized crime members produce goods whether it is sex or drugs, and commit murder to distribute or consume the goods for a profit. Crime networks use power to take advantage of people not in the specific network and to have social control over society. Members...