An introduction explores definitional controversies and the related debates over the structure and activities of organized crime. Historical perspectives examine the rise of American syndicate crime in the 20th century and document the past and current activities of the Italian criminal syndicate in narcotics trafficking. Discussions of the difficulty of controlling organized crime focus on (1) the Kaufman Commission's findings that traditional banking procedures make money laundering difficult to investigate and (2) the ineffectiveness of some of the Chicago Crime Commission's efforts directed against organized crime. Examinations of the criminal infiltration of legitimate business present a model that specifies the factors that make a market vulnerable to organized crime involvement and describe the role of organized crime in the toxic waste disposal industry. A final paper explores how the selectivity of media presentations about organized crime involvement in the trucking industry and in the Interstate Commerce Commission has influenced public perceptions of government corruption. Data tables, figure, and chapter reference lists. For individual papers, see NCJ 104666-104674. (Author summary modified)