A state, depending on size, can have local, regional and national governments.  There are many types of governments, such as monarchy, despotism, dictatorship, oligarchy, plutocracy, democracy and theocracy. A government, depending on type, can by headed by politicians, monarchs, dictators, a group of people (families), the wealthy class or the religious elite. History does not have the exact date of the formation of the first governments, though it holds some records of formation of the very first governments 3,000 years ago.

Organized crime, or criminal organizations, is made up of groups or operations run by controversial individuals most commonly for the purpose of generating financial profit and social power (influence). Organized crime, however defined, is characterized by a few basic qualities including durability over time, diversified interests, hierarchical structure, capital accumulation, reinvestment, access to political protection and the use of violence to protect interests. The best known criminal organizations are: Cosa Nostra, commonly known as Mafia (the Italian and the Sicilian), the Russian Mafia, the Japanese Yakuza, the Chinese Triads, the Colombian and the Mexican drug cartels, the Chechen Mafia and young Mara Salvatrucha, among others. History has it that the first sign of organized crime was seen 3000 years ago.

It is important to make a distinction between organized crime (criminal organizations) and terrorist organizations, military organizations, political and paramilitary organizations, such as Al Qaeda, Hezbollah, the Irish Republican Army (IRA) and the National Military Organization in the Land of Israel (Irgun), among others. In relation, we should not forget the Nuremberg Trials in Germany, famous for the prosecution of the leadership of Nazi Germany. The best known was the Trial of the Major War Criminals before the International Military Tribunal (IMT) in 1945. At this trial the following were indicted as criminal organizations:

   The Nationalsozialismus Deutsche Arbeiterpartei (NSDP), the Nazi party - National Socialist German Workers Party.

   The Schutzstaffel (SS), Protective Squadron – military organization.

   The Sicherheitsdienst (SD), Security Service – intelligence service of SS and NSDP.

   The Gestapo - secret state police.

   The Sturmabteilung (SA), Storm Division – paramilitary organization.

   The Oberkommando der Wehrmacht (OKW), Supreme Command of the Armed Forces.

This concept of criminal organizations was, and still is, controversial and has not been used in International Human Rights Law since then.

Throughout history there has been a constant struggle, but also a connection between governments and organized crime. In addition, many world famous political and military leaders have been accused of running their countries like criminal organizations, such as Joseph Stalin, Adolf Hitler, Mao Zedong, Nicolae Ceausescu, Idi Amin Dada, Manuel Antonio Noriega Moreno, Augusto José Ramón Pinochet Ugarte, among others. For many, top government politicians are believed to grow enormous wealth by running a kleptrocracy, a government  that extends the personal wealth and political power of government officials and the ruling class at the expense of the population.

A few years ago, an unofficial list of the people for who are believed to be the most self-enriching political leaders was released, at the top of which were: Suharto (former President of Indonesia/$15-$35 billion), Ferdinand Emmanuel Edralín Marcos (former President of the Philippines/$5-$10 billion USD), Mobutu Sese Seko Nkuku Ngbendu wa Za Banga (former President of Zaire/$5 billion), among many others.

What makes governments and organized crime so connected?

Governments have heads of state, leaders, militaries, laws, taxes, customs, punishments and governments control states and go to war, among others. On the other side, criminal organizations (organized crime) have bosses, dons, families, soldiers, gangs, codes and outs, protection rackets, extortion and punishments. They also control territories and small cities and they go into wars with other criminal organizations and governments, among others.

Looking at these examples we can see that there are many similarities in the structure of governments and organized crime. Many governments have been involved in criminal activities through politicians, such as weapons sales, narcotics, international loans, confiscation of private property and corruption. A socio-political phenomenon called "political corruption" is visible in all forms of governments and includes extortion, nepotism, bribery, cronyism, patronage, graft and embezzlement. Global corruption is estimated at $1 trillion, which is equal to what organized crime makes per year around the world.

According to history, ancient civilizations such as the Sumerians, Indus Valley Civilization, Babylonians, Mayans, Yellow River, Ancient Egyptians, Ancient Greeks, and Ancient Romans had governments, military, laws, and crimes. The Sumerian civilization had the first ever written code of law, written by the ruler Urukagina, best known for his reforms to combat corruption. Later King Ur-Nammu wrote the “Code of Ur-Nammu,” which is the oldest surviving code of law in the world. His code of law is considered remarkably advanced. The capital crimes of murder, robbery, adultery and rape were punished with death.  

Many people, mostly historians, believe that organized crime emerged from piracy and banditry in the 17th century or from some famous warriors and conquers earlier. However, if we look at these ancient laws we can see that organized crime and crime generally existed long before the period piracy and banditry. Even Julius Cesar was kidnapped and held prisoner in 75BC by Cilician pirates. He was later released when the requested ransom was paid. Afterwards, Cesar raised a fleet and captured the pirates. The pirates were first imprisoned and later crucified on his authority.

The pertinent historical question is, “So, what was formed first and what set up the model for other; a government or organized crime?”

It is evident that crime and organized crime existed long before the formation of the first government. Governments implemented laws because of the criminal activities that were visible in their society. In relation to that, we can say that crime is older than the first law and government. If three or more individuals organize themselves to commit a crime, that crime is characterized as organized crime.

It was very hard, for example in the 24th century BC, to distinguish between what was right and what was wrong. However, people held something deep inside of themselves for centuries of human evolution and that was the sense for righteousness on which civilizations were able to build their respective society.

Did governments learn from organized crime or did organized crime learn from governments?

They learned from each other. Government's establishers applied some of the main principles of criminal organizations' structure for the greater cause. In fact, many laws and government bodies were made because of crime activities. Criminal organizations followed the evolution of governments and learned to be more effective in criminal activities.

Throughout history crime walked along with governments. It was present in every known society, including dynasties, imperialism, colonialism, monarchism, communism, socialism, and modern democracy. In the contemporary world, criminal organizations are still successful in their business. Some governments, on the other hand, cannot be distinguished from organized crime because of their corruption and lawlessness inherent in their activities.

Today, many world governments, such as the United Nations and various law enforcement agencies are fighting criminal organizations and corruption, but as long as we have politicians and government officials behaving like criminals and taking bribes, criminal organizations will continue to grow