What is Organized Crime?

This chapter examines the definitions of organized crime applied by the United Nations Convention Against Organized Crime and the United States National Security Council (NSC). The NSC often lists transnational organized crime as one of the 5–10 major threats to the national security of the United States. Here, the authors introduce the reader to the primary money-making activities of organized criminal groups, and explain why countries may fear criminal organizations they are unable to control within their borders, and the ways nations can develop capacities to eliminate or control organized crime.