Organized crime groups are largely responsible for the serious and grave crimes that go on across the world. Attempts to weed out these groups are however frustrated by the fact that these groups are funded or protected by influential political figures (Alesina, Piccolo, and Pinotti, 2016). This association is mutual since the political figures stand to get economic gain as well as influence from associating with these criminals. On the other hand, the crime groups get immunity, which allows them to operate without fear of being arrested. The problem of cooperation between politicians is not only prevalent in the US, but it is witnessed across the globe.
Reasons why Politicians Collaborate with Organized Criminal Groups
Politicians hold powerful positions in the local, state, and federal politics, which they are willing to maintain as long as it takes. Such politicians understand that there are entities outside of their control, which can rid them of their power. As such, they enlist the help of organized criminal groups to act as instruments, which intimidate anyone who would come in their way of maintaining power (Briscoe and Kalkman, 2016). Moreover, the organized criminal groups help the politicians secure financial gains, as they get involved in illegal dealings including money laundering and peddling of drugs. These resources, in turn, help such politicians secure and maintain power at the peril of the electorate.
Delegate your assignment to our experts and they will do the rest.
Comparison of Relationship between Politicians and Organized Crime Groups in other Countries and the US
As established, politicians from across the globe tend to work closely with organized groups to secure and maintain their political influence. In Eurasia for instance, reports of alliances between the political class and organized crime groups are persistent in post-Soviet countries (Kupatadze, 2015). In essence, these collusions aid the political class in diverting public funds for their personal gains. The politicians succeed in corruption since there is increased fragmentation and diffusion of political power in this region. On the other hand, the US government has succeeded to a large extent in dealing with organized crime groups which exist outside of US (Cara, 215). However, few political figures are thwarting these efforts for what they stand to gain from these groups.
References
Alesina, A., Piccolo, S., & Pinotti, P. (2016). Organized Crime, Violence, and Politics. Retrieved on 12 May 2018, from http://scholar.harvard.edu/files/alesina/files/organized_crime_violence_politics_march_2016.pdf?m=1456945412.
Briscoe, I. & Kalkman, P. (2016). The new criminal powers: The spread of illicit links to politics across the world and how it can be tackled. Netherlands Institute of International Relations. Retrieved on 12 May 2018, from https://www.clingendael.org/pub/2016/the_new_criminal_powers/executive_summary/.
Cara, A. (2015). Modus Operandi of Organized Crime: Violence, Corruption and Money Laundering. European Scientific Journal , 11(28), 472-480.
Kupatadze, A. (2015). Political corruption in Eurasia: Understanding collusion between states, organized crime, and business. Theoretical Criminology, 19(2), 198–215.
