Question

In: Economics

How did Prohibition act as a catalyst for the development of organized crime in the United...

How did Prohibition act as a catalyst for the development of organized crime in the United States? Do you think that the decriminalization/legalization of drugs, prostitution, pornography and the like would reduce the impact of OC in our country today? Explain your answer.

How does the criminality of organized crime differ from that of conventional criminals and terrorists? Give examples in your answers.

Solutions

Expert Solution

Prohibition Act which was passed in the United States in 1920 was a law banning the sale and/or import of alcohol and beverages having alcoholic content. The Act was introduced on both economic and moral grounds. However, it backfired and within 14 years of its implementation, it was repealed. The Prohibition Act acted as a catalyst in for the development of organised crimes in the following ways-

  • A day before the implementation of this act, many bars distributed free alcohol. Many others saw this as an opportunity for money making and charged exhorbitant amount for a single bottle of champagne.
  • Prohibition Act led to an increase in the demand for illegaly obtained alcohol.
  • In order to cater those demands, Mafias and gangs came up. These gangs fought for control over illegal dens of alcohol, the most sought after one being in Chicago.
  • One of the most famous gangs was that of Al Capone. His gang is known to have committed more than 500 murders.

Thus, the Prohibition Act backfired.

Legalizing drugs, prostitution etc can help in tackling the problem of organized crime to some extent. Organized crime will not be wiped one within few days of such an implemnation, it will take some time. When such issues will be legalised, demand or sale for the same will not be considered illegal, hence, disintegrating the criminal sector operating in these industries, gradually. However, simple implementation will not be that much effective until and unless, government keeps a regular check and regulate the sales of such commodities. Government regulation in such industries is important in order to prevent abuse.

------------------

The criminality of organized crime differ from that of conventional criminals and terrorists.

The conventional crimes' motives can be different ranging from revenge to greed/impulse. Eg; a robber looting a bank, pick pocketing, committing muder in process of robbing a man etc.  

Terrorism is driven by political motives. A terrorist group operates in order to achieve a political goal. Eg; Naxalites in India. They feel neglected by the government and want rights over forests, water, minerals, wealth etc.

The organized crime differs from the above mentioned crimes as its motive is solely material benefits or profits. Organized crimes take place when a group wants to obtain profits out of something. Such a crime also entails violence if necessary. Eg: Drug trafficking.

------------------


Related Solutions

How did the muslim prohibition of alcohol lead to the rise of coffeehouses in the Islamic...
How did the muslim prohibition of alcohol lead to the rise of coffeehouses in the Islamic world? Describe this coffeehouse culture and role it played in politics and society of Muslim world up to the present day. This is for world civilizations class
How did the (physical) environment of the united states impact the economy development of the country...
How did the (physical) environment of the united states impact the economy development of the country in the first half of the nineteenth century?(Hint: these new technologies get developed for reasons...). Explain in Detail and With Evidence
9. How is His able to act as both a general base and general acid catalyst...
9. How is His able to act as both a general base and general acid catalyst at the same pH? b) How is Ser able to act as a nucleophile? c) How is the transition-state stabilized by chymotrypsin? 10. Explain why chymotrypsin would become inactive at a: a) low temperature. b) high temperature. c) pH = 4.0.
What is Sherman Act and how does it differ from the Clayton Act? How did Rockefeller...
What is Sherman Act and how does it differ from the Clayton Act? How did Rockefeller make his money? Why was it seen as monopoly? Did he still benefit from his company being dismantled? If so, how? Describe his upbringing.
How did the Affordable Care Act implement Medicaid?
How did the Affordable Care Act implement Medicaid?
Specifically, how did the declaration passed by the Stamp Act Congress and The Declaratory Act passed...
Specifically, how did the declaration passed by the Stamp Act Congress and The Declaratory Act passed by Parliament shift the entire focus/debate of discussion during the mid-1760’s? After that, was compromise possible? Why/why not? 2- How did the Nullification Crisis in 1832 (South Carolina) mirror the economic differences of north/south and the issue of states’ rights? How did these same issues bring about a final split of the union in 1861?
How did climate affect hominid development?
How did climate affect hominid development?
What is the Homeland Secuirty Act of 2002? How did it come about, and what did...
What is the Homeland Secuirty Act of 2002? How did it come about, and what did it do? Explain in FULL detail.
Discuss the similarities of and differences between terrorist groups and organized crime.
Discuss the similarities of and differences between terrorist groups and organized crime.
What role did World War I play in the development of public investing in the United...
What role did World War I play in the development of public investing in the United States?.
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT