Comparison Between Organized Crime And Terrorism Essay

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Introduction

Organized crime refers to unlawful activities conducted by members of highly organized gangs and associations (CEDAT, 2008).
Its defined by members and activities of a group.
Groups engage in market based crimes, are highly organized, seeks to penetrate into the legal economy, and they are associated with violence.
Terrorism refers to acts of violence or existence of threat of violence
Terrorism is characterized by violence, coercive goals, and creation of overwhelming terror (CEDAT 2008).

Varying ideologies and external objectives
Terrorists accept risk more readily than organized criminals
Activities in terrorist groups are diversified relative to organized criminal groups
Degree and symbolism of violence differs in both groups (CEDAT, 2008)
For terrorism, crime is a means of executing an act while in organized crimes, crime is an end to financial needs.
Organized crime seeks to maintain secrecy while terrorism thrives under publicity

Al Qaeda started off as a multi national support group which funded and orchestrated activities of Islamic militants worldwide (Bevy, 2006)
Its primary goal is to overthrow corrupt and heretical governments and replace them with Islamic law
It promotes anti-Western attitudes and views US as prime enemy of Islam (Bevy, 2006)
Advocates for destruction of states which are viewed as major obstacles to reforms in Muslim societies e g US and Israel
Al Qaeda offers financial support to Muslim fighters in the war torn Middle East region
Manipulates Islamic religious teachings to justify criminal activities
Provides financial incentives to other terrorist groups and financial inducement to criminals (Bevy, 2006)
Acts a source of negative campaigns against its target states which attracts terrorist attacks.

Begin off as a group of California World War 2 veterans
According to Barker (2005), Hell Angels is considered as the first most powerful organized gang
Its initial activities included vandalism, public drunkenness, fighting and traffic violations
Allies with other international crime organizations in drug operations and distribution
Hell’s Angels is estimated to have over 700 members in the United States (Barker, 2005)
The gang has established other affiliates in countries such as Denmark, New Zealand, Europe, Australia, Japan, and Great Britain among others
Gang often conflicts with other OMG over issues of drug market and gang territory

Both groups were initially established by war veterans (CEDAT, 2008)
Membership acquired through recruitment in accordance to pre set by laws (Barker, 2005).
Members dedicated to execution of criminal activities.
They possess complex international criminal networks
Characterized by Strategic alliances
Both groups establish affiliates in other countries, form partnership and seek to acquire external support (Barker, 2005)

Relationship with target states and governments (CEDAT)
Different leadership and organizational structure
Different motives in both Al Qaeda and Hells Angels (CEDAT)
Al Qaeda has more diverse global connections than Hells Angels
Difference in member’s appearance and representation between the two groups (Barker, 2005)
Restricted membership in Hells Angels with members expected to pay dues (Barker, 2005).

Both justified their criminal activities using political and social ideologies (Mallory, 2007)
Both groups claim to be victims of wide spread discrimination
Both groups thrived as a result of increased global interconnectivity (Mallory, 2007)
Both emerged from mal adjustment of war veterans
Unlawfulness: Both groups engage in socially deviant behaviors.

Hells Angels lacks ethnic background while Al Qaeda has its origins traced to the Arab world (Bevy, 2006)
Al Qaeda targeted ‘Anti Muslim’ states while Hells Angels targeted financial opportunities
Al Qaeda is Muslim based while Hells Angels accommodated members from diverse religions
Hells Angels is financially motivated while Al Qaeda engages in massive destruction of property.
Al Qaeda promoted Islamic war against Jews and crusaders while Hells Angels disrupts social order for own material gain (Bevy, 2006)

In the past: Al Qaeda funded Muslim militants
Conducted extensive negative campaigns against target countries.
Fought against corrupt and oppressive governance (Bevy, 2006)
establishment and radicalization of Muslim groups (Bevy, 2006)
Currently: the organization has diminished in size and scope
Al Qaeda focus of on spreading terror and conducting terrorist attacks on target states across the world (Chaliand & Blin, 2007)
Al Qaeda lacks a sufficient organization structure and resources to mount global operations
It inspires, instigates, funds, and coordinate operations by other terrorist groups (Chaliand & Blin, 2007).
Relies on associate groups in Africa and Middle East to conduct its operations
Forcing the US to withdraw its troops from Islamic countries.

Intensified counter terrorism measures hinders Al Qaeda operations (Hoffman, 2003)
Difficulties in maintaining its ideology and concept (Hoffman, 2003)
Dynamic nature of terrorists attacks may favor Al Qaeda

In the past: Group was a symbol of rebellion and social deviant behavior (Barker, 2005)
Execution of crime during runs with motorbikes
Currently: Drug traffic is the major source of Income
Engages in diverse illegal activities such as prostitution, fraud and extortions
Dominates the drug market in United States
The largest and most powerful organized crime group in USA (Barker, 2005).

Free trade and regional associations will promote the gang’s operations (Lyman & Potter, 2007)
Improved information and communication technology provides opportunities for illegal activities (Lyman & Potter, 2007)
The Changing character of organized crime hinders effectiveness of security measures
Increased security measures will reduce overall crime rates

Bevy, J. L.(2006). Al Qaeda: an organization to be reckoned with, NY: Nova Publishers.

Blin, A., &Chaliand, G. (2007). The history of terrorism: from anti antiquity to Al Qaeda, University Of California Press.

Center of excellence Defense Against Terrorism (2008). Organizational and psychological aspects of terrorism, Amsterdam: IOS press.

Hoffman, B. (2003). Al Qaeda trends in terrorism and future potentialities: an assessment, California: Rand Publishers.

Mallory, S. L.(2007). Understanding organized crime, Massachusetts: Jonnes and Bartlett Learning.

Potter, W. G., & Lyman, M. D. (2007). Organized Crime, Fourth Edition, NY: Pearson Education.

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