Identify and describe each of the three main paradigms of organized crime in the field of criminology.
What will be an ideal response?
Jay Albanese (2004) describes three models or paradigms of organized crime that exist in the literature in the field:
1) Conspiracy theory—organized crime as a nationwide conspiracy
2) Organized crime as local, ethnic groups
3) Organized crime as enterprise (p. 96)
The conspiracy theory is what this writer calls “cosa nostra theory,” while the local ethnic groups I will call “patron theory.” Enterprise theory, as first proposed by Dwight Smith (1975, 1978), argues that organized crime and normal business are similar activities on different ends of a “spectrum of legitimacy.” Organized crime represents an extension of the principles of legitimate business in illicit areas (Albanese, 1989).
You might also like to view...
The threats from extreme Islam may have receded with the death of al Qaeda's charismatic leader
With no significant person filling that void, what do you consider the threat will be from Islamic fanatics based in the UK and, if there is a threat, how will that be translated into action?
The public typically underestimates the true incidence of crime
Indicate whether the statement is true or false.
The absolute prohibition of certain behaviors means they have placed certain behaviors in the category of
a. laws b. mores c. norms d. all of the above e. none of the above
Which of the following is not a problem inherent in incapacitative sentencing: (p. 171)
a. It works only if we lock up those who would have committed further offenses if they had been left free b. It works only if those we lock up are not immediately replaced by new recruits c. It works only if we fix offenders while we lock them up d. It works only if the crimes committed after release are not so frequent or serious so as to negate the effects of the crimes prevented through incapacitative sentencing