NCJ Number
216221
Journal
Crime, Law and Social Change Volume: 45 Issue: 1 Dated: 2006 Pages: 71-91
Date Published
2006
Length
21 pages
Annotation
This paper proposes a typology intended to help academics and law enforcement agencies in identifying and assessing the diverse characteristics of organized-crime enterprises and gangs in China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and American Chinatowns.
Abstract
According to the proposed typology, Chinese, Hong Kongese, and Taiwanese countercultural groups, actors, and activities can be described according to eight combinations of the following variables: organizational structure, political participation, and ideological attribute. Organizational structure is defined as "the extent to which symbolic, undisclosed, and exclusive measures/messages are employed to maintain secrecy." Political involvement is defined as "the legitimate opportunities available for elements of countercultural groups to become State managers/local politicians or to support financially certain political figures." Ideology is defined as "the thinking parameters (such as racism or nationalism) which will set courses for actions." The eight combinations of these variables encompassed in the proposed typology are listed in this article and then described in detail. The author maintains that one of these combinations will apply to any particular countercultural group in an American Chinatown, China, Hong Kong, and/or Taiwan. These frameworks should be useful for criminologists and law enforcement officials in comparing various delinquent or radical groups in these countries. 16 notes and 51 references