CRIME AS AN AMERICAN WAY OF LIFE (FROM CRIME AND DELINQUENCY, A READER, 1970 BY CARL A. BERSANI - SEE NCJ-06248)

• NCJ Number: 10195
• Author(s): D BELL
• Date Published: 1953
• Length: 9 pages
• Corporate Author: Macmillan
• Publication Format: Document
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: REPRINTED FROM ANTIOCH REVIEW, V 13, N 2 (JUNE 1953), P 132-154

Annotation

CHANGES IN THE ETHNIC COMPOSITION OF ORGANIZED CITY CRIME SYNDICATES ARE RELATED TO CERTAIN ECONOMIC, SOCIAL, AND POLITICAL FACTORS ARISING FROM URBAN LIFE.

Abstract

IT IS SUGGESTED THAT BIG-CITY RACKETEERING RESULTED FROM SEVERAL FACTORS - THE PUBLIC DESIRE FOR CERTAIN ILLEGAL PLEASURES, PARTICULARLY GAMBLING, THE UNIQUE ROLE OF CRIME AS A LADDER TO SOCIAL MOBILITY FOR IMMIGRANT GROUPS, AND THE RELATION OF CRIME TO THE CHANGING CHARACTER OF THE URBAN POLITICAL MACHINES. THE PREDOMINANCE OF INDIVIDUALS OF ITALIAN EXTRACTION IN GAMBLING AND SYNDICATED CRIME ENTERPRISES IS EXPLAINED BY USING THESE FACTORS. SINCE IRISH POLITICAL MACHINES CONTROLLED CITY PATRONAGE JOBS AND OTHER ETHNIC GROUPS CONTROLLED THE MAIN AVENUES TO ECONOMIC SUCCESS, IT IS HYPOTHESIZED THAT RACKETEERS PROVIDED ONE OF THE MAJOR SUPPORTS IN THE DRIVE TO WIN A POLITICAL VOICE FOR ITALIANS. THIS PATTERN OF ORGANIZED CRIME IS SEEN TO BE ENDING BECAUSE OF THE RATIONALIZATION AND ABSORPTION OF SOME ILLICIT ACTIVITIES INTO THE ECONOMY, THE GENERAL RISE OF MINORITY GROUPS TO SOCIAL POSITION, AND THE BREAKUP OF THE URBAN BOSS SYSTEM.