Russian Mafia Rational Choice Theory
The Russian Mafia: Classical Rational Theory - Brandon Sookraj
Define Classical Theory: Basic idea and Major Theorist
According to rational choice theory people choose to commit crimes if the benefits outweighs the repercussions. This clearly describes how the Russian mafia gained power in Alexander Shvarts article on the Russian mafia as people choose to join the mafia or use their services and commit these illegal acts as what they gained in return outweighed the consequences. Alexanders Shvarts article uses Diageo Gambetta of the growth of the mafia in Sicily to set out the conditions that would need to be met to compare the growth of the Sicilian mafia to the Russian mafia. Shvarts uses the outlined conditions to prove that the growth …show more content…
“I begin by looking at the state of mind of the “rational criminal” Then,, I summarize Gambetta’s model to the Sicilian Mafia…I go on to apply Gambetta’s model to the Russian Mafia” (Shvarts, 2001, p.30). “Gambetta’s explains the emergence of the Italian Mafia in southern Italy as result of the lack of trust in the Italian State. This produced a high potential demand for protection, and the Mafia supplied such protection to anyone who wanted to but it” (Shvarts, 2001, p.35). Shvarts applies the model to with rational choice theory to explain how and why the Russian Mafia became so dominant in the late 1980s. “using the services of the Russian Mafia or joining the Russian Mafia is rational…for all those who share common problems because most of the people in the same predicament in Russia turn to organized crime for assistance” (Shvarts, 2001, p.50). With the transition to a market economy and the lack of protection given to citizens by the Russian government many people chose to join or use the services of the Russian Mafia as it was beneficial for both parties when thought through rationally. This shows how the Russian Mafia gain power in the Late 1980s as they were able to see an opportunity and choose to follow through with it as rationally thinking the benefits outweighed the repercussions. The choice to use rational choice was effective as Shvarts provided information that help support the requirements needed to prove theory. Two criticisms I have about Shvarts article is ignores other factors that could influence a person’s decision, and fails to consider irrational behavior. First, his article ignores other factors that could influence a
Define Classical Theory: Basic idea and Major Theorist
According to rational choice theory people choose to commit crimes if the benefits outweighs the repercussions. This clearly describes how the Russian mafia gained power in Alexander Shvarts article on the Russian mafia as people choose to join the mafia or use their services and commit these illegal acts as what they gained in return outweighed the consequences. Alexanders Shvarts article uses Diageo Gambetta of the growth of the mafia in Sicily to set out the conditions that would need to be met to compare the growth of the Sicilian mafia to the Russian mafia. Shvarts uses the outlined conditions to prove that the growth …show more content…
“I begin by looking at the state of mind of the “rational criminal” Then,, I summarize Gambetta’s model to the Sicilian Mafia…I go on to apply Gambetta’s model to the Russian Mafia” (Shvarts, 2001, p.30). “Gambetta’s explains the emergence of the Italian Mafia in southern Italy as result of the lack of trust in the Italian State. This produced a high potential demand for protection, and the Mafia supplied such protection to anyone who wanted to but it” (Shvarts, 2001, p.35). Shvarts applies the model to with rational choice theory to explain how and why the Russian Mafia became so dominant in the late 1980s. “using the services of the Russian Mafia or joining the Russian Mafia is rational…for all those who share common problems because most of the people in the same predicament in Russia turn to organized crime for assistance” (Shvarts, 2001, p.50). With the transition to a market economy and the lack of protection given to citizens by the Russian government many people chose to join or use the services of the Russian Mafia as it was beneficial for both parties when thought through rationally. This shows how the Russian Mafia gain power in the Late 1980s as they were able to see an opportunity and choose to follow through with it as rationally thinking the benefits outweighed the repercussions. The choice to use rational choice was effective as Shvarts provided information that help support the requirements needed to prove theory. Two criticisms I have about Shvarts article is ignores other factors that could influence a person’s decision, and fails to consider irrational behavior. First, his article ignores other factors that could influence a