Impact of organized crime on the economy ( with the example of USA and Italy)

Annotation of Graduation Thesis, A.K. GrigorevaTopic: Impact of organized crime on the economy ( with the example of. USA and Italy)Chair: World EconomyThe primary purpose of the study is to identify the impact of organized crime on the national economy with the example of Italy and the United States of America. Within the framework of the study, the tasks are quite diverse. First of all, the term of organized crime is defined with a further distinguishing of the term mafia in the context. The peculiarities of its development are considered. After that the global activities are researched and the activities in the certain countries are picked out. The crucial impact is defined and the counteracting measures are stated.The thesis of the study is that organized crime and mafia in particular are the key elements of the “shadow” economy and have a great influence on different elements of the national economy of each of the countries. Within the framework of the study it has been determined that mafia constitutes an unique shell of the organised crime which has its own evolution process. It is determined by its origins, time period and the mentality. In comparison to other types it has strict hierarchy and very close relations between the elements of the subordination chain. The main activities consists of various types of racket, trade on illegal markets and other illegal activities. As for the economic elements, judging by the information available, mafia has a huge impact on the components of the national economies. It can influence such elements as demand and supply on a particular market or particular territory. But it can be the reason of worse competitiveness and investment environment. As the result the market will face slower development and this may cause bad competitiveness for the country on the global market.