SOC 2106 Lecture Notes - Lecture 18: Ufo Conspiracy Theory, Rock Machine, Loan Shark
15 Sep 2016
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Involvement in legitimate business: providing a front of service. There is a conspiracy that says there"s a national syndicate of crime families. First groups: irish in new york slums (ny thieves); replaced by italians. Initial profits made from alcohol during prohibition entrenched. Italian mafia into american culture and organized crime; today they remain a powerful organization largely because of that. Blocked opportunities" when immigrants arrive in a country and can"t obtain legitimate employment; as a result of blocked opportunities they may turn to extralegal means, i. e. organized crime. Jenkins (1987): little evidence of italian crime family control of organized crime. Crime is loosely organized, involving: professional criminals, law enforcers, politicians, businessmen; chaotic, many power struggles. Asian-based: heavily involved in drugs (heroin), migrant smuggling, street gangs. East european-based: heavily involved in sophisticated internet and financial frauds, phony credit card. Italian-based: sicilian clans, primarily narcotics, gambling, extortion, and loansharking. Outlaw motorcycle gangs: hell"s angels, outlaws, rock.
