ABSTRACT
The origin of tribal groups that rallied around a self-designated leader to carry out activities meant to gain power and control over people and territories is ancient and even prehistoric. As such, it may constitute a kind of evolutionary trait that has left its residues as an unconscious factor in the formation of criminal groups. The appearance of pirates, bandits, and various gangs throughout history may well be manifestations of this trait. In effect, tribalism might be useful as a putative paradigm for explaining the continued existence of organized criminal gangs and their ability to adapt to changes in the world, social and technological. A discussion of tribalism and adaptability as possible factors in organized crime constitutes the subject matter of this chapter.
