Wikipedia

Gangster

This is thelatest accepted revision,reviewedon2 November 2024.
This article is about members of a gang or criminal organization. For other uses, seeGangster (disambiguation).
"Mobsters" redirects here. For the film, seeMobsters (film).For the TV series, seeMobsters (TV series).

Agangsteris a criminal who is a member of agang.Most gangs are considered to be part oforganized crime.Gangsters are also calledmobsters,a term derived frommoband thesuffix-ster.[1]Gangs provide a level of organization and resources that support much larger and morecomplex criminal transactionsthan an individual criminal could achieve. Gangsters have been active for many years in countries around the world. Gangsters are the subject of many novels, films, television series, and video games.

Usage

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Yakuza,or Japanese mafia, are not allowed to show their tattoos in public except during theSanja Matsurifestival.

In modern usage, the term "gang"is generally used for a criminal organization and the term" gangster "invariably describes a criminal.[2]Much has been written on the subject of gangs, although there is no clear consensus about what constitutes a gang or what situations lead to gang formation and evolution. There is agreement that the members of a gang have a sense of common identity and belonging and this is typically reinforced through shared activities and through visual identifications such as special clothing, tattoos, colors, or rings.[3]Some preconceptions may be false. For example, the common view that illegal drug distribution in the United States is largely controlled by gangs has been questioned.[4]

A gang may be a relatively small group of people who cooperate in criminal acts, as with theJesse Jamesgang, which ended with the leader's death in 1882. However, a gang may also be a larger group with a formal organization that survives the death of its leader. For example, each of theFive Familiesfounded in the early 20th century, outlasted its founders and have survived into the 21st century. Large and well structured gangs such as theMafia,drug cartels,Triads,Crips,Bloods,or evenoutlaw motorcycle gangscan undertake complex transactions that would be far beyond the capability of one individual, and can provide services such as dispute arbitration and contract enforcement that parallel those of a legitimate government.[5]

The term "organized crime"is associated with gangs and gangsters, but is not synonymous. A small street gang that engages in sporadic low-level crime would not be seen as" organized ". An organization that coordinates gangs in different countries involved in the international trade in drugs or prostitutes may not be considered a" gang ".[6]

Regional variants

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Europe

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Sketch of the 1901 maxi trial of suspected mafiosi in Palermo. From the newspaperL'Ora,May 1901.

There are severalorganized crime groups in Italy.Notably, theSicilian Mafia,orCosa Nostrais acriminal syndicatethat emerged in the mid-nineteenth century inSicily, Italy.It is a loose association of criminal groups that share common organizational structure andcode of conduct.The origins lie in the upheaval of Sicily's transition out offeudalismin 1812 and its laterannexationby mainland Italy in 1860. Under feudalism, the nobility owned most of the land and enforced law and order through their private armies. After 1812, the feudal barons steadily sold off or rented their lands to private citizens.Primogeniturewas abolished, land could no longer be seized to settle debts, and one fifth of the land was to become private property of the peasants.[7]Other similarly large and powerful Italian criminal organizations, often composed of smaller gangs or "clans" generally operating under a shared criminal subculture or code, include theCamorrainNaplesandCampaniaand theNdranghetainCalabria.

Criminalfile and mugshot of Joseph Stalin in 1910

Organized crime has existed in Russia since the days ofImperial Russiain the form of banditry and thievery.Joseph Stalin,who emerged as the absolute dictator of the Soviet Union had previously founded the Outfit, a criminal gang that were involved witharmed robberies,racketeering,assassinations,arms procurement and childcouriering.[8]

In the period ofSoviet Union,Vory v Zakoneemerged, a class of criminals that had to abide by certain rules in the prison system. One such rule was that cooperation with the authorities of any kind was forbidden. DuringWorld War IIsome prisoners made a deal with the government to join the armed forces in return for a reduced sentence, but upon their return to prison they wereattacked and killedby inmates who remained loyal to the rules of the thieves.[9]In 1988, the Soviet Union legalized private enterprise but did not provide regulations to ensure the security of market economy. Crude markets emerged, the most notorious being the Rizhsky market where prostitution rings were run next to the Rizhsky Railway Station in Moscow.[10]

As theSoviet Unionheaded for collapse many former government workers turned to crime, while others moved overseas. FormerKGBagents and veterans of theAfghanandFirstandSecond Chechen Wars,now unemployed but with experience that could prove useful in crime, joined the increasing crime wave.[10]At first, the Vory v Zakone played a key role in arbitrating the gang wars that erupted in the 1990s.[11]By the mid-1990s it was believed that "Don"Semion Mogilevichhad become the "Boss of all Boss es" of mostRussian Mafiasyndicates in the world, described by the British government as "one of the most dangerous men in the world".[12]More recently, criminals with stronger ties to big business and the government have displaced the Vory from some of their traditional niches, although the Vory are still strong in gambling and the retail trade.[11]

TheAlbanian Mafiais active inAlbania,the United States, and theEuropean Union(EU) countries, participating in a diverse range of criminal enterprises including drug andarms trafficking.[13][14]The people of the mountainous country of Albania have always had strong traditions of family and clan loyalty, in some ways similar to that of southern Italy. Ethnic Albanian gangs have grown rapidly since 1992 during the prolonged period of instability in the Balkans after the collapse of Yugoslavia. This coincided with large scale migration throughout Europe and to the United States and Canada. Although based in Albania, the gangs often handle international transactions such as trafficking in economic migrants, drugs and other contraband, and weapons.[15]Other criminal organizations that emerged in the Balkans around this time are popularly called theSerbian Mafia,Bosnian Mafia,Bulgarian Mafia,and so on.

Asia

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Du Yuesheng(1888–1951), a Chinese gangster and importantKuomintangsupporter who spent much of his life in Shanghai

In China,Triadstrace their roots to resistance or rebel groups opposed toManchurule during theQing dynasty,which were given the triangle as their emblem.[16]The first record of a triad society,Heaven and Earth Gathering,dates to the Lin Shuangwen uprising on Taiwan from 1786 to 1787.[17]The triads evolved into criminal societies. When theChinese Communist Partycame to power in 1949 in mainland China, law enforcement became stricter and tough governmental crackdown on criminal organizations forced the triads to migrate to Hong Kong, then a British colony, and other cities around the world. Triads today are highly organized, with departments responsible for functions such as accounting, recruiting, communications, training and welfare in addition to the operational arms. They engage in a variety of crimes including extortion, money laundering, smuggling, trafficking and prostitution.[18]

Yakuzaare members of traditionalorganized crimesyndicates in Japan. They are notorious for their strict codes of conduct and very organized nature. As of 2009 they had an estimated 80,900 members.[19]Most modern yakuza derive from two classifications which emerged in the mid-Edo period:tekiya,those who primarily peddled illicit, stolen or shoddy goods; andbakuto,those who were involved in or participated in gambling.[20]

United States and Canada

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In the late 1860s, many Chinese emigrated to the United States, escaping from insecurity and economic hardship at home, at first working on the west coast and later moving east. The new immigrants formed Chinese Benevolent Associations. In some cases these evolved intoTongs,or criminal organizations primarily involved in gambling. Members ofTriadswho migrated to the United States often joined these tongs. With a new wave of migration in the 1960s, street gangs began to flourish in major cities. The Tongs recruited these gangs to protect their extortion, gambling and narcotics operations.[21]

As American society and culture developed, new immigrants were relocating to the United States. The first major gangs in 19th century New York City were the Irish gangs such as theWhyosand theDead Rabbits.[22]These were followed by the ItalianFive Points Gangand later a Jewish gang known as theEastman Gang.[23][24]There were also "Nativist"anti-immigration gangs such as theBowery Boys.TheItalian-American Mafiaarose from offshoots ofthe Mafiathat emerged in the United States during the late 19th century, following waves of emigration from Sicily. There were similar offshoots in Canada amongItalian Canadians,such as theRizzuto crime family.

Mug shotofAl Capone.Although never convicted ofracketeering,Capone was a protégé and successor of Torrio, later convicted of income tax evasion by thefederal government.

The terms "gangster" and "mobster" are mostly used in the United States to refer to members of criminal organizations associated withProhibition.In 1920, theEighteenth Amendmentof the United States Constitution banned the sale, manufacture, and transportation of alcohol for consumption. Many gangs sold alcohol illegally for profit, and used acute violence to stake turf and protect their interest. Often, police officers and politicians were paid off or extorted to ensure continued operation.[25]Al Caponewas one of these notorious gangsters during theDepression erafor theChicago Outfit.Capone would rise to control a major portion of illicit activity such as gambling, prostitution, andbootleggingin Chicago during the early 20th century.[26]

In New York City, by the end of the 1920s, two factions of organized crime had emerged to fight for control of the criminal underworld, one led byJoe Masseriaand the other bySalvatore Maranzano.[27]This caused theCastellammarese War,which led to Masseria's murder in 1931. Maranzano then divided New York City intofive families.[27]Maranzano, the first leader of the American Mafia, established the code of conduct for the organization, set up the "family" divisions and structure, and established procedures for resolving disputes.[27]In an unprecedented move, Maranzano set himself up asBoss of all Boss esand required all families to pay tribute to him. This new role was received negatively, and Maranzano was murdered within six months on the orders ofCharles "Lucky" Luciano.Luciano was a former Masseria underling who had switched sides to Maranzano and orchestrated the killing of Masseria.[28]As an alternative to the previous despotic Mafia practice of naming a single Mafia Boss ascapo di tutti capi,or "Boss of all Boss es," Luciano createdThe Commissionin 1931,[27]where the Boss es of the most powerful families would have equal say and vote on important matters and solve disputes between families. This group ruled over theNational Crime Syndicateand brought in an era of peace and prosperity for the American Mafia.[29]

Latin America

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Members of Colonel Martinez's Search Bloc celebrate overPablo Escobar's body on December 2, 1993.

Most cocaine is grown and processed in South America, particularly inColombia,Bolivia,Peru,and smuggled into the United States and Europe, the United States being the world's largest consumer of cocaine.[30] Colombia is the world's leading producer ofcocaine,and also produces heroin that is mostly destined for the US market.[31] TheMedellín Cartelwas an organized network of drug suppliers and smugglers originating in the city ofMedellín,Colombia. The gang operated in Colombia,Bolivia,Peru,Central America, the United States, as well as Canada and Europe throughout the 1970s and 1980s. It was founded and run by Ochoa Vázquez brothers withPablo Escobar.By 1993, the Colombian government, helped by the US, had successfully dismantled the cartel by imprisoning or hunting and gunning down its members.[32]

Although Mexican drug cartels, or drug trafficking organizations, have existed for several decades, they have become more powerful since the demise of Colombia'sCaliand Medellín cartels in the 1990s. Mexican drug cartels now dominate the wholesaleillicit drug marketin the United States.[33]Sixty five percent of cocaine enters the United States through Mexico, and the vast majority of the rest enters through Florida. Cocaine shipments from South America transported through Mexico or Central America are generally moved over land or by air to staging sites in northern Mexico. The cocaine is then broken down into smaller loads for smuggling across theU.S.–Mexico border.[34]Arrests of key gang leaders, particularly in theTijuanaandGulfcartels, have led to increasingdrug violenceas gangs fight for control of the trafficking routes into the United States.[35]

Cocaine traffickers from Colombia, and recently Mexico, have also established a labyrinth ofsmugglingroutes throughout theCaribbean,theBahamaIsland chain, and South Florida. They often hire traffickers from Mexico or theDominican Republicto transport the drug. The traffickers use a variety of smuggling techniques to transfer their drug to U.S. markets. These include airdrops of 500–700 kg in theBahama Islandsor off the coast ofPuerto Rico,mid-ocean boat-to-boat transfers of 500–2,000 kg, and the commercial shipment of tonnes of cocaine through the port of Miami. Another route of cocaine traffic goes through Chile, this route is primarily used for cocaine produced in Bolivia since the nearest seaports lie in northern Chile. The arid Bolivia-Chile border is easily crossed by 4x4 vehicles that then head to the seaports ofIquiqueandAntofagasta.[citation needed]

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Further information:Gangster film

Gangs have long been the subject of movies. In fact, the first feature-length movie ever produced wasThe Story of the Kelly Gang(1906), an Australian production that traced the life of the outlawNed Kelly(1855–1880).[36]The United States has profoundly influenced the genre, but other cultures have contributed distinctive and often excellent gangster movies.[citation needed]

United States

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The actorEdward G. Robinsonstarred in several American gangster movies.

The stereotypical image and myth of the American gangster is closely associated withorganized crimeduring theProhibitionera of the 1920s and 1930s.[37]

The classicgangster movieranks with the Western as one of the most successful creations of the American movie industry. The "classic" form of gangster movie, rarely produced in recent years, tells of a gangster working his way up through his enterprise and daring, until his organization collapses while he is at the peak of his powers. Although the ending is presented as a moral outcome, it is usually seen as no more than an accidental failure. The gangster is typically articulate, although at times lonely and depressed, and his worldly wisdom and defiance of social norms has a strong appeal, particularly to adolescents.[38]

The years 1931 and 1932 saw the genre produce three classics:Warner Bros.'Little CaesarandThe Public Enemy,which made screen icons out ofEdward G. RobinsonandJames Cagney,andHoward Hughes'ScarfacestarringPaul Muni,which offered a dark psychological analysis of a fictionalizedAl Capone.[39]These films chronicle the quick rise, and equally quick downfall, of three young, violent criminals, and represent the genre in its purest form before moral pressure would force it to change and evolve. Though the gangster in each film would face a violent downfall which was designed to remind the viewers of the consequences of crime, audiences were often able to identify with the charismatic anti-hero. Those suffering from the Depression were able to relate to the gangster character who worked hard to earn his place and success in the world, only to have it all taken away from him.[40]

Latin America

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Latin American gangster movies are known for their gritty realism.Soy un delincuente(English: I Am a Criminal) is a 1976 Venezuelan film by director Clemente de la Cerda. The film tells the story of Ramón Antonio Brizuela, a real-life individual, who since childhood has to deal with rampant violence and the drugs, sex and petty thievery of a Caracas slum. Starting with delinquency, Ramón moves on to serious gang activity and robberies. He grows into a tough, self-confident young man who is hardened to violence. His views change when his fiancée's brother is killed in a robbery. The film was a blockbuster hit in Venezuela.[41]

City of God(Portuguese:Cidade de Deus) is a 2002Braziliancrimedrama filmdirected byFernando Meirellesand co-directed byKátia Lund,released in its home country in 2002 and worldwide in 2003. All the characters existed in reality, and the story is based on real events. It depicts the growth of organized crime in theCidade de Deussuburb ofRio de Janeiro,between the end of the '60s and the beginning of the '80s, with the closure of the film depicting the war between the drug dealerLi'l Zéand criminalKnockout Ned.[42]The film received fourAcademy Awardnominations in 2004.[43]

East Asia

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The firstyakuza(gangster) film made in Japan wasBakuto(Gambler, 1964). The genre soon became popular, and by the 1970s the Japanese film industry was turning out a hundred mostly low-budget yakuza films each year. The films are descendants of the samurai epics, and are closer to Westerns than to Hollywood gangster movies. The hero is typically torn between compassion for the oppressed and his sense of duty to the gang. The plots are generally highly stylized, starting with the protagonist being released from prison and ending in a gory sword fight in which he dies an honorable death.[44]

Although some Hong Kong gangster movies are simply vehicles for violent action, the mainstream movies in the genre deal with Triad societies portrayed as quasi-benign organizations.[45]The movie gangster applies the Taoist principles of balance and honor to his conduct. The plots are often similar to those of Hollywood gangster movies, often ending with the fall of the subject of the movie at the hands of another gangster, but such a fall is far less important than a fall from honor.[45]The first movie made by the acclaimed directorWong Kar-waiwas a gangster movie,As Tears Go By.In it the protagonist finds himself torn between his desire for a woman and his loyalty to a fellow gangster.[46]Infernal Affairs(2002) is a thriller about a police officer who infiltrates a triad and a triad member who infiltrates the police department. The film was remade byMartin ScorseseasThe Departed.[47]

Gangster films make up one of the most profitable segments of the South Korean film industry. Films made in the 1960s were often influenced by Japaneseyakuzafilms, dealing with internal conflict between members of a gang or external conflict with other gangs. The gangsters' code of conduct and loyalty are important elements. Starting in the 1970s, strict censorship caused decline in the number and quality of gangster movies, and none were made in the 1980s.[48]In the late 1980s and early 1990s there was a surge of imports of action movies from Hong Kong. The first of the new wave of important home grown gangster movies wasIm Kwon-taek'sGeneral's Son(1990). Although this movie followed the earlier tradition, it was followed by a series of sophisticated gangster noirs set in contemporary urban locations, such asA Bittersweet Life(2005).[49]

See also

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Citations

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  1. ^Oxford English Dictionary(online edition)
  2. ^Taylor 2009.
  3. ^Kontos, Brotherton & Barrios 2003,pp. xiff.
  4. ^Kontos, Brotherton & Barrios 2003,pp. 42.
  5. ^Abadinsky 2009,p. 1.
  6. ^Lyman & Potter 2010,pp. 213ff.
  7. ^Sardell 2009.
  8. ^Sebag Montefiore, Simon (2007).Young Stalin.New York: Alfred A. Knopf. pp. xii, xxix, 10, 151–153.ISBN978-1-4000-4465-8.
  9. ^Shalamov 1998.
  10. ^abThe Rise and rise...
  11. ^abSchwirtz 2008.
  12. ^Glenny 2008,p. 75.
  13. ^Stojarová 2007.
  14. ^UltraGangsteret Shqiptar.
  15. ^Abadinsky 2009,pp. 154–155.
  16. ^Ter Haar 2000,pp. 18.
  17. ^Ter Haar 2000,pp. 19.
  18. ^Mallory 2007,p. 136ff.
  19. ^Corkill 2011.
  20. ^Kaplan & Dubro 2003,pp. 18–21.
  21. ^Tongs and Street Gangs.
  22. ^English 2006,p. 13.
  23. ^Iorizzo 2003,p. 14.
  24. ^Fried 1980,p. 27.
  25. ^Iorizzo 2003,pp. 15ff.
  26. ^Iorizzo 2003,pp. 23ff.
  27. ^abcd"Italian Organized Crime".Organized Crime.Federal Bureau of Investigation. Archived fromthe originalon October 10, 2010.RetrievedAugust 7,2011.
  28. ^Cohen, Rich (1999).Tough Jews(1st Vintage Books ed.). New York: Vintage Books. pp.65–66.ISBN0-375-70547-3.Genovese maranzano.
  29. ^King of the Godfathers: Big Joey Massino and the Fall of the Bonanno Crime Family By Anthony M. DeStefano. Kensington Publishing Corp., 2008
  30. ^Field Listing...
  31. ^Colombia - Transnational...
  32. ^Gugliotta & Leen 2011,p. 1ff.
  33. ^Cook 2007,p. 7.
  34. ^Jacobson 2005,p. 40ff.
  35. ^High U.S. cocaine cost.
  36. ^Beeton 2005,p. 62.
  37. ^McCarty 2004,p. 5.
  38. ^Talbot 1975,p. 148-149.
  39. ^Hark 2007,p. 12.
  40. ^Hark 2007,p. 13.
  41. ^Soy un Delincuente.
  42. ^Ebert 2003.
  43. ^City of God.
  44. ^Kaplan & Dubro 2003,pp. 141–142.
  45. ^abNochimson 2007,p. 70.
  46. ^Nochimson 2011,p. 306.
  47. ^Reiber 2011,p. 31.
  48. ^Choi 2010,p. 60.
  49. ^Choi 2010,p. 61.

References

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  • The dictionary definition ofmobat Wiktionary
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