Russian Mafia For Private Protection example essay topic

One of the most famous types of organized crime in the past and present is the "Russian Mafia". This article entails the rational choice theory model with how it justifies being able to join the Russian Mafia and the business that they conduct. A rational theorist would argue that we as people are rational human beings who carefully calculated the consequences of our behaviour. We make choices based on the cost benefit analysis. The concept of the cost benefit analysis is that when we have to make a choice, that choice is weighted between the cost and benefit of the decision that is made. In dealing with the Russian Mafia, making the decision of being involved in a criminal activity would pivot if the benefit of the crime was greater than the cost of the crime.

People, who are in the Russian Mafia or want to join the Russian Mafia, feel that the benefits are greater than the costs involved. Rational choice theorists deem that in order for us to commit a crime, in this case, this would apply to whether members of the Russian Mafia are egocentric and advancing their own personal gains and interests in practicing the activities they do. Rational theorists say that it's in our human behavior and nature to self-advance our own interests and causes. According to the rational choice theory, we could make the argument that members of the Russian Mafia are people, who are freethinking, independent rational decision-makers. If we trace back to the beginning and inception of the Russian Mafia, during the period of penile colonies, the people started losing faith and trust in the state because they believed that the social system did not provide solutions to a major problem in destitution.

Even when we look at the modern day of Russia during and after the Gorbachev era, their behaviour is almost identical than in the early years. Most of the population began losing faith and belief in the out-dated power of the state in providing protection and security. People began to realize that they just had to stick with how things were or they had to change the situation themselves. This demonstrates the fact that the people's nature in turning to the Russian Mafia would provide them with the opportunity to maximize their benefits and their costs would decrease. In due course, they were selfish in the sagacity that what was done was to better their personal and business interests. The reason why the Russian Mafia has such violent behaviour is due to the fact of showing the people that they provide maximum protection.

The societal period during the infancy of organized crime left a resonant and rippling impact that would be felt many years down the road. Rational theorists argue that society is a highly stratified hierarchy where in society; people are divided with wealth, power and status. There is also the idea and notion of a social contract, which can be viewed as a new way of looking at the relationship between people and the state. The term social contract coined by Hobbe's believes that people would voluntarily enter into a social contract with the state. The way social contract works is that citizens of a state would have to compromise their liberty and freedom in exchange for protection and security for the citizens. The Russian Mafia performs a function and role in society.

Present day Russia is an environment, which leaves owners no choice, but to resort to private protection because they have fears over fraud and losing their property. They would develop in societies without effective public order, or in societies in which citizens regard the authorities as hostile. Essentially, at its core, they would function as a parallel machine of law and organized power in societies in which the official government is not effective. During the period in which capitalism started to take place, middle class business owners turned to the Russian Mafia for private protection. Making a connection between the citizens of Russia and the Russian Mafia is difficult. We must make a connection between the social contract of the people of Russia and the Russian Mafia.

We must also figure out why the citizens turn to the Russian Mafia for protection. There was a period in Russia when private property was ubiquitous in the modern days, so there was a large demand of trust and protection, which in fact wasn't being provided by the state. The state was not providing the citizens with enough protection and the crime rates in Russia showed proof of that. In 1989, the crime rate increased by 32%, and the total report crimes rose by 70.5% from 1989-1992. The citizens of Russia began to grow fearful of something happening to their property.

This is where the Russian Mafia comes in for the citizens of Russia. Therefore, the demand for the protection of the Russian Mafia rose, especially from business owners. As business would continue to grow and expand, the state, specifically, the law enforcement agencies were unable to provide protection and security, which would lead to the creation of the Mafia organizations. Beccaria believed that the role of law should be prescribing specific punishment for specific crimes. The foundation for this perception is that the punishment would be effective, and that it was the best way in dealing with people who chose to break the law. A major reason in causing this was the government's lack of judgment, foresight, and complete incompetence in creating a legal framework for the new market era, such as enforcing property rights and property contracts, and laws designed to provide a secure, equitable working environment for commerce.

You also have to take into account that their regulatory agencies are non-existent or corrupt, at the same time law enforcement agencies were essentially rendered obsolete or a non-factor because of the scarce in resources available to them. Business owners would commit crimes such as theft, robbery and murder against their competitors. As far as criminals are concerned, their belief is that those who commit crime are no different from non-criminals. Organized crime groups were a symbol of political resistance. We are all self-seeking, rational decision-makers, all liable in our lives to commit a crime.

The Russian government failed to ratify and legislate what acts were of a criminal nature. The causal logic for joining the Russian Mafia according to rational choice theorists is that it would be a rational decision made out of self-interest, where if the benefits outweigh the costs, you will do it. In the article, it points out that adequate protection or in this case, lack there of is one of the reasons for using the services of the Russian Mafia. Financially incentives play a factor for a person to join the Mafia or to elicit their services. The Russian Mafia commits their crimes after consideration of the costs and benefits of their actions for their crimes. The reward of the crime must exceed that of the punishment and cost.

Because of illegal transactions take place in a market in which the threat of law enforcement, the fear of deception, the absence of written contracts, and the uncertainty concerning property rights all contribute to make protection higher. Some business owners will seek the services of the Russian Mafia because the government imposes a high sales tax figure (40% in certain areas of Russia). A reason for store owners to pay for protection is to deter new competitors. Rational choice theorists believe that there are five factors to consider when explaining causes of a crime: 1) Free choice 2) Lack of fear of punishment 3) Ineffective criminal justice system 4) Available unguarded targets 5) Opportunistic situations. The people of Russia led their lives according to their own laws because the state wasn't providing the people with what they wanted, so they had the freedom of choice whether they wanted to become a member of the Russian Mafia or use them as protection. The Russian government did not act accordingly in dealing with transgressors; this is illustrated by the fact crime rate increased at an alarming rate.

The criminal justice system operates inefficiently and is vulnerable to being a victim of corruption at all levels. The government failed to enact and enforce clear property rights legislation. Consequently, the Russian Mafia supplants the government for protection and security. The fact that those property and business owners must resort to protection from the Russian Mafia demonstrates that they were perfect candidates for being an available unguarded target. Unfortunately, because the rise of property owners was not matched by clear rights legislation, they became prime targets. This was the best way to get suppliers for the Russian Mafia as they were able to supply their services for property owners in need for protection for their business interests.

With that being said, using the services of the Russian Mafia boils down too assessment of threats, the availability of alternative options, costs and benefits for, and constraints on both parties. In the criminal justice system, rational theorists believe in due process. Due process is based on the foundation that everyone should be treated equally. Beccaria believes that certainty of punishment is more important than severity. The criminal justice policy shares and holds the same beliefs as due process.

Basically, people are entitled to the proper legal procedures and justice. Routine Activities theory states that victims have a role to play change their lifestyles and habits so they will less likely to be victims..