Organized Crime: America and Global Perspectives

“Organized Crime: America and Global Perspectives offers a comprehensive and nuanced examination of the evolution, operations, and impact of organized criminal enterprises—both within the United States and across the globe. Designed for students of criminology, law enforcement, and criminal justice, this textbook provides an accessible yet in-depth understanding of how organized crime functions as a sophisticated social and economic system.

Spanning from historical roots to modern transnational networks, the book explores major syndicates such as the Italian-American Mafia, Russian and Chinese crime organizations, Mexican cartels, and extremist domestic groups. Special focus is given to the illicit drug trade, human trafficking, money laundering, cybercrime, and arms smuggling as the economic lifeblood of global criminal operations.

Beyond the criminal networks themselves, the text critically examines legislative responses, international crime-fighting strategies, and the challenges law enforcement faces in adapting to evolving criminal tactics. Readers are also introduced to theories of criminal behavior, including psychological, sociological, and organizational perspectives that shape our understanding of why and how organized crime persists.

With detailed case studies, legal frameworks, and a rich appendix of global crime data, this book serves as both an academic foundation and a practical reference. Organized Crime: America and Global Perspectives equips readers with the analytical tools to assess the threat of organized crime and the ongoing efforts to combat it—locally, nationally, and internationally.”