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Social Disorganization

In: Social Issues

Submitted By tamiw1110
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CJA/384 Criminal Organizations
May 6, 2013

Social Disorganization
To more fully understand the far-reaching effects of organized crime, it is important to understand the many factors that may be involved. One important factor is to understand what causes criminal organizations not only to form, but to thrive in the United States. One factor that can help explain the prevalence of organized crime is the theory of social disorganization.
What is Social Disorganization
Social disorganization can be difficult to accurately define and many variations exist regarding what social disorganization entails. According to the National Criminal Justice Reference Center (NCJRS), social disorganization can be defined as the inability for community members to work together to solve problems and achieve shared values (2013). Understanding what causes social disorganization is crucial in trying to find ways to minimize it.
One of the factors involved that may help to explain how social disorganization develops includes a high rate of population turnover. When people move in and out of communities, individuals do not establish roots or strong community bonds. Another factor that is involved is diverse ethnic groups living within close proximity (NCJRS, 2013). According to Lyman & Potter (2007), some researchers believe that crime is more prevalent in urban areas because of high rates of poverty, high levels of unemployment, and many single-parent households. If this is the case, the doors of opportunity are wide open for organized crime to move in and take over.
Social Disorganization and Organized Crime Evolution
The correlation between social disorganization and the evolution of criminal organizations is clear. As immigrants began moving into urban areas, many processes were set into motion. Neighborhoods began, possibly for the first time, to experience ethnic diversity. Various cultures and customs began to clash and lead to social withdrawal because community members did not understand their new neighbors. People moving in and out of the community began to establish a less well-knit society and strong neighborhood bonds started to become a thing of the past. These broken ideals and communities beginning to crumble gave rise to many organized crime groups in areas such as Chicago, New York, and Kansas City. According to Lyman & Potter (2007), many of the major players in past criminal organizations began their careers in their late teens or early 20s. This may be explained by the social disorganization theory as well.
In bustling rural communities, the “haves and have nots” very frequently live in very close proximity to one another. This can create feelings of anger and hostility in those individuals who are unable to enjoy the benefits and life-styles of those who are well-off. “These youths are able to witness affluence firsthand, but they are deprived of its benefits through social discrimination, which makes it virtually impossible for them to attain success through conventional means” (Lyman & Potter, p. 68, 2007).
Social Disorganization and Organized Crime Relationships
Two types of relationships exist in criminal organizations; bureaucratic and patron-client relationships. The bureaucratic relationship involves one boss who makes the decisions and is very focused on efficiency, power and control (Mallory, 2007). This type of relationship could appeal to many people in areas that are experiencing social disorganization, because community members may be desperate for direction and someone to lead them.
The patron-client relationship could be beneficial in the development of criminal organizations in communities that are experiencing social disorganization. This type of relationship offers protection to its members, and because not all the power is held by one person, individuals who may have struggled for a sense of belonging or purpose may feel that this organization offers the support and respect that is necessary to climb out of the sub-standard living conditions that they are presently in.
Political Machines and Social Disorganization
The development of corrupt political machines within communities suffering from the effects of social disorganization was instrumental in furthering the goals of organized crime groups from the mid 1800s to the early years of the 20th century. Organized crime group leaders were able to influence and corrupt political leaders to pass laws that would directly benefit the criminal organization (Lyman & Potter, 2007). In strong, thriving communities this type of takeover by political machines would not have been possible.
Conclusion
Social disorganization, although sometimes difficult to define, can have significant and devastating consequences. By allowing communities to become fragmented with no common goals or strong ties, many undesirable effects can take place. Communities begin to crumble, social values deteriorate, and organized crime moves in.

References
Lyman, M. D., & Potter, G. W. (2007). Organized crime (4th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson/Prentice Hall. Mallory, S. L. (2007). Understanding organized crime. Sudbury, MA: Jones and Bartlett.
National Criminal Justice Reference Services. (2013). Social disorganization and rural communities. Retrieved from https://www.ncjrs.gov/html/ojjdp/193591/page1.html

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