Social Disorganization Theory
Social Disorganization Question-and-Answer
Social disorganization is a theoretical perspective that is used to predict trends in criminal behavior by criminal justice professionals. In this paper the correlation between corrupt political machines and social disorganization as it is related to the development of organized crime and organized crime groups will be discussed. “The corrupt political machines may directly affect social disorganization and the criminal activity of organized crime groups” (Wilson, 2012, p.01). It is important to note that social disorganization is contributed by many factors.
Social disorganization
Andres Rengifo (2009) describes social disorganization as “a theoretical perspective that explains ecological differences …show more content…
in levels of crime based on structural and cultural factors shaping the nature of the social order across communities. This approach narrowed the focus of earlier sociological studies on the covariates of urban growth to examine the spatial concentration and stability of rates of criminal behavior” (p. 01). Criminal justice professionals are concerned with the reasons as to why individuals are engaging in criminal acts and exhibiting criminal behaviors. This theory suggests that neighborhoods which have high levels of poverty can “breed crime” within a city. The disorganization of a neighborhood includes the schools, churches, business, and the local politics. Predicting that youth from social disorganized neighborhoods will commit deviant behavior allows criminologists to predict future crime trends (Wilson, 2009).
Social disorganization, organized crime and its evolution
In areas where there is a breakdown in the neighborhood, where people live in close proximity like apartments or duplexes, there are greater chances of crime.
The same for areas where there is a breakdown in the family unit, single mothers, fathers, lack of parental supervision, and parents who work long hours where the children are left alone for long periods of time. Situations like these leave children with too much time on their hands which may lead to deviant behaviors. Under the social disorganization theory “the affected neighborhoods raise children who are socially disorganized or lacking social structure. The lack of social structure could result in the youth turning to criminal activity out of lack of social control or order” (Wilson, 2009, …show more content…
p.01).
In a socially disorganized neighborhood, there is culture, values and beliefs. These beliefs are not always shared with everyone within the neighborhood. A criminal organization may share certain values and beliefs that are not the same as others. What makes these shared values and beliefs successful is when said organized crime groups are able to hire additional members and flourish due to unsuccessful prosecution efforts, and become actual legitimate businesses (Lyman & Porter, 2007). The evolution is tough, successful organized criminals associate with businesses that interconnect with corrupt officials, which overtime strengthens them further, eventually establishing an organized crime group.
Relationship between social disorganization and organized crime
As previously mentioned, social disorganization can eventually evolve and become established organized crime. The values of the individuals whom are involved in criminal acts do not match up with the value system of society, thus paving a pathway to organized crime. In community in which social disorganization is present, there will be those who break the law, individuals who break the law are capable of forming groups of other individuals who break the law, and this is where the evolution takes place. These groups, form a fundamental association with corrupt political machines, leading to their economic, social, and political power. Due to these fundamental reasons, it is apparent that social disorganization meets the criteria for organized crime.
Corrupt political machine and social disorganization
Small criminal groups evolve into larger criminal organizations and with the growth of the group, is the growth of the organization. Businesses are established for the survival of the group and to maximize the benefits to everyone involved. In order for the group to continue growing, a close connection is formed with corrupt political officials (Lyman & Porter, 2007). The corruption of political machines enables social disorganization to prevail. This is impart by the presence of the corrupt political machine and the creation of a competitive advantage of social disorganization, which goes both ways. The achievement of goals by social disorganization depends on the connection with political officials. Political officials have an advantage as they have resources which are easily attainable, and control over the public. When corrupt political machines and social disorganization are aligned, there is a substantial outcome in both political and economic gain.
Conclusion
As previously mentioned in this paper, social disorganization and organized crime may ultimately have the same social, political, and economic objectives.
The reality is that small criminal groups whether it be gangs, drug dealers, or the like, can evolve into something as big as organized crime. It would mean sustainability on the part of social disorganization, and a remarkable strength on corrupt political machine to help perpetuate its social, economic and political power. Therefore, understanding organized crime from the point of view of corrupt political machine and established social disorganization could substantially pave the way for understanding specific aspect about
crime. References
Lyman, M. D., & Potter, G. W. (2000). Organized crime (4th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall.
Rengifo, A. (2009, December 14). Social Disorganization - Criminology - Oxford Bibliographies -. Retrieved from http://www.oxfordbibliographies.com/view/document/obo-9780195396607/obo-9780195396607-0008.xml
Wilson, M. D. (2012, March 18). Crime Social Disorganization by MD Wilson | Sciences 360. Retrieved from http://www.sciences360.com/index.php/crime-social-disorganization-3394/
Social disorganization is a theoretical perspective that is used to predict trends in criminal behavior by criminal justice professionals. In this paper the correlation between corrupt political machines and social disorganization as it is related to the development of organized crime and organized crime groups will be discussed. “The corrupt political machines may directly affect social disorganization and the criminal activity of organized crime groups” (Wilson, 2012, p.01). It is important to note that social disorganization is contributed by many factors.
Social disorganization
Andres Rengifo (2009) describes social disorganization as “a theoretical perspective that explains ecological differences …show more content…
in levels of crime based on structural and cultural factors shaping the nature of the social order across communities. This approach narrowed the focus of earlier sociological studies on the covariates of urban growth to examine the spatial concentration and stability of rates of criminal behavior” (p. 01). Criminal justice professionals are concerned with the reasons as to why individuals are engaging in criminal acts and exhibiting criminal behaviors. This theory suggests that neighborhoods which have high levels of poverty can “breed crime” within a city. The disorganization of a neighborhood includes the schools, churches, business, and the local politics. Predicting that youth from social disorganized neighborhoods will commit deviant behavior allows criminologists to predict future crime trends (Wilson, 2009).
Social disorganization, organized crime and its evolution
In areas where there is a breakdown in the neighborhood, where people live in close proximity like apartments or duplexes, there are greater chances of crime.
The same for areas where there is a breakdown in the family unit, single mothers, fathers, lack of parental supervision, and parents who work long hours where the children are left alone for long periods of time. Situations like these leave children with too much time on their hands which may lead to deviant behaviors. Under the social disorganization theory “the affected neighborhoods raise children who are socially disorganized or lacking social structure. The lack of social structure could result in the youth turning to criminal activity out of lack of social control or order” (Wilson, 2009, …show more content…
p.01).
In a socially disorganized neighborhood, there is culture, values and beliefs. These beliefs are not always shared with everyone within the neighborhood. A criminal organization may share certain values and beliefs that are not the same as others. What makes these shared values and beliefs successful is when said organized crime groups are able to hire additional members and flourish due to unsuccessful prosecution efforts, and become actual legitimate businesses (Lyman & Porter, 2007). The evolution is tough, successful organized criminals associate with businesses that interconnect with corrupt officials, which overtime strengthens them further, eventually establishing an organized crime group.
Relationship between social disorganization and organized crime
As previously mentioned, social disorganization can eventually evolve and become established organized crime. The values of the individuals whom are involved in criminal acts do not match up with the value system of society, thus paving a pathway to organized crime. In community in which social disorganization is present, there will be those who break the law, individuals who break the law are capable of forming groups of other individuals who break the law, and this is where the evolution takes place. These groups, form a fundamental association with corrupt political machines, leading to their economic, social, and political power. Due to these fundamental reasons, it is apparent that social disorganization meets the criteria for organized crime.
Corrupt political machine and social disorganization
Small criminal groups evolve into larger criminal organizations and with the growth of the group, is the growth of the organization. Businesses are established for the survival of the group and to maximize the benefits to everyone involved. In order for the group to continue growing, a close connection is formed with corrupt political officials (Lyman & Porter, 2007). The corruption of political machines enables social disorganization to prevail. This is impart by the presence of the corrupt political machine and the creation of a competitive advantage of social disorganization, which goes both ways. The achievement of goals by social disorganization depends on the connection with political officials. Political officials have an advantage as they have resources which are easily attainable, and control over the public. When corrupt political machines and social disorganization are aligned, there is a substantial outcome in both political and economic gain.
Conclusion
As previously mentioned in this paper, social disorganization and organized crime may ultimately have the same social, political, and economic objectives.
The reality is that small criminal groups whether it be gangs, drug dealers, or the like, can evolve into something as big as organized crime. It would mean sustainability on the part of social disorganization, and a remarkable strength on corrupt political machine to help perpetuate its social, economic and political power. Therefore, understanding organized crime from the point of view of corrupt political machine and established social disorganization could substantially pave the way for understanding specific aspect about
crime. References
Lyman, M. D., & Potter, G. W. (2000). Organized crime (4th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall.
Rengifo, A. (2009, December 14). Social Disorganization - Criminology - Oxford Bibliographies -. Retrieved from http://www.oxfordbibliographies.com/view/document/obo-9780195396607/obo-9780195396607-0008.xml
Wilson, M. D. (2012, March 18). Crime Social Disorganization by MD Wilson | Sciences 360. Retrieved from http://www.sciences360.com/index.php/crime-social-disorganization-3394/