While such these types of crimes have a long and varied history in the United States, organized crime, white-collar/ corporate crime assumed new importance at the start of the twenty-first century as a number of American corporations and numerous corporate officers came under investigation for a variety of alleged misdeeds.

Although both white-collar and organized crime appear to be prevalent in the United States today, and organized and white-collar criminals often share similar goals, such as acquiring wealth and social position, there seems to be considerable variation in commitment between the two types of offenders. Many organized criminals evidence a long tradition of criminal involvement, often in the form of racketeering, which is largely unknown to most white-collar offenders. Similarly, organized crime wraps its members in a kind of deviant subculture with a detailed code of conduct (gangs, PETA, Anti aborotionist, etc.), which affects them throughout their lives.

Explain why most white-collar offenders are probably drawn to criminal activity for the immediate financial rewards it offers, whereas organized criminals are more apt to see crime as a way of life and to condemn the conformist activities of others. Use and cite references.