Springer The Upperworld and the Underworld: Case Studies of Racketeering and Business Infiltrations in the United States (Criminal Justice and Public Safety)

Product Description From Damon Runyan's colorful tough guys in black shirts and white ties to recent media coverage of John Gotti, the `dapper don', public depictions of racketeers in the United States have drawn attention away from the true nature of organized crime and its extensive penetrations into mainstream business. The Upperworld and the Underworld: Case Studies of Racketeering and Business Infiltrations in the United States strips away the romantic patina and reveals the significant impact of racketeering on vital segments of American industry. In this informative study Robert Kelly explores two fundamental questions: `Why is organized crime a serious problem in some businesses and industries, and not in others?' and `What are the consequences of racketeering activities for labor organizations and businesses tainted by a criminal presence?' He examines the blurred demarcation between the legitimate and illegitimate sectors of society and explains the reasons for this occurrence. In the process, Kelly provides a distinct vantage point for understanding organized crime, not just as an `outlaw fringe' preying on society, but as a disturbingly integral element of our social and economic structure. Moreover, he confirms a widely held thesis that organized crime is not merely parasitic but an institutional component of American society. The Upperworld and the Underworld affords a fascinating view of the current state of organized crime in the United States and the rise of nontraditional criminal organizations in new immigrant communities. The volume is an essential resource for students and scholars concerned with issues of crime and its effects on the economy. Review `The delicate balance of legitimacy in the staging and confronting of organized crime in modern society is deftly portrayed... the reader enjoys a concise and valuable perspective.' Jess Maghan, Director, Office of International Criminal Justice, University of Illinois at Chicago `Other scholars have touched on the economic aspects of organized crime, yet none so comprehensively as does The Upperworld and the Underworld. This book is an excellent, nay, essential resource for those who study organized crime and/or want to learn about its effects on the global economy.' Patrick J. Ryan, Associate Professor, Emeritus, Long Island University; Past President, International Association for the Study of Organized Crime (IASOC)