Organized crime

Organized crime is crime carried out systematically by formal criminal organizations. The Organized Crime Control Act (U.S., 1970) defines organized crime as "The unlawful activities of ... a highly organized, disciplined association...".

Comparison to legitimate enterprises

There are at times little distinction between "legitimate" organizations and organized crime. For instance, corrupt businesses or dysfunctional governments often bear strong resemblance to organized crime. Even legitimate businesses may be "fronts" for organized crime, or a means of money laundering. Indeed, some have theorized that states are created from organized crime.

Related Topics:
Legitimate - Money laundering

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Organized crime distinguishes itself from other non-governmental organizations, through its ability to provide its own protection. A legitimate business relies on a government to enforce its contracts, while organized crime must rely only upon itself. When such institutions gain legitimacy they become governments.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~