Organiserad brottslighet i Norden

Abstract

Organised crime in the Nordic context could best be characterized by two extremes. On one hand, there are the ad hoc-groups that form to carry out criminal enterprises such as smuggling operations. These ad hoc-groups are flexible and collaborators can come and go depending on the projects. The ad hoc-groups are quite discrete and profit is their primary goal. On the other hand, there are the brotherhoods of visible and often provocative gangs. Identity and brotherhood are often more important for these outlaw bikers, street gangs and similar gangs than the criminal enterprise itself. The ad hoc-groups are more common and thus more central to the criminal markets than the brotherhoods, even though the latter get a lot of media and political attention because of their characteristics. The nature of Nordic organised crime grows out of broader societal traits. The level of corruption is low, and people trust the political assemblies, the authorities and the judicial system as a whole. Longstanding democratic traditions, also on the local level, and relative economic equality help to explain why organised crime is not a threat even if there are problems.