Beginning with a critique of States' legal definitions of organized crime, the book discusses the bureaucratic/corporate analogy and alternative arguments offered by those who view organized crime as a network of patron-client relationships. A historical perspective of more recent organized crime activity is provided by tracing the activities of the industrial 'pirates' and 'robber barons' of the 19th and early 20th centuries. Relevant sociological theory is analyzed, such as Sutherland's theory of differential association and Shaw and McKay's theory of the cultural transmission of crime, to explain modern organized crime. A cross-cultural perspective is provided by a discussion of organized crime in Japan, Africa, and the Soviet Union. There is a discussion of the Mafia, Camorra, and Honored Society. In addition, the book traces histories of organized crime, especially activities in Chicago and New York. A review of the operations that make organized crime primarily a business enterprise covers bookmaking, numbers, loansharking, drug trafficking, labor, and business racketeering. Information on the extent of organized crime's current involvement in these activities is provided. The book points out anomalies inherent in laws directed at prohibiting activities (such as gambling) for which there is a widespread demand and discusses the political and police corruption resulting from these anomalies. A discussion of legal strategies and law enforcement tools used to combat organized crime at Federal, State, and local levels covers antiloansharking legislation, the role of the State prosecutor, the prosecutor's racket bureau, grant of immunity, conspiracy statutes, the witness protection program, income tax and organized crime, and intelligence (surveillance and wiretapping). The final chapter presents policy options available for responding to organized crime. These fall into three basic categories: maintain the current response, increase sanctions, and reduce opportunity. Charts, tables, footnotes, and appendixes of law enforcement strategies, including a sample debrief form, a list of selected questions for an intelligence report, and a police guide on symptoms of organized crime for the police officer are provided. (Author abstract modified)